Attempts to secure the release of the girls are "still on", the country's government stressed.

Anger is growing in the African nation at a perceived lack of action by officials surrounding the situation.

In April 2014, Boko Haram militants stormed the girl's school in the town of Chibok in Borno State. Over the next few months, up to 60 of the girls escaped.

Since then, a small number have been released and, in May 2016, one was found who had been forced to have a baby with one terrorist.

It's understood Boko Haram is trying to use the girls as pawns in order to have some of their commanders freed from Nigerian prison.

Until now, the Nigerian government had not commented on its search but it's now thought the negotiations could mean a deal is struck.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said a recent meeting with the brutal terrorists was almost successful.

"The negotiations are still on, but unfortunately unlike the search operations, we cannot take you along to the negotiation table.

"I want to assure you that these negotiations are going on but they are very complicated and delicate and shift from time to time."

The Nigerian government is negotiating with the Islamic terrorists who captured more than 200 Christian schools girls in Chibok.