Abuja, May 12 (RHC)-- In Nigeria, the Boko Haram has released a video showing the first images of the kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls since their abduction nearly one month ago. Nearly half of the almost 300 girls are seen on the tape, chanting what appears to be a verse from the Koran.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau is also shown, and appears to offer the girls’ freedom in exchange for the Nigerian government’s release of all the group’s prisoners. Three of the girls are interviewed, saying they have not been harmed and have been converted to Islam.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian military says it has deployed 10 search teams in the remote northeastern part of the country, where the girls were seized. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan says he does not believe reports the girls have been taken to neighboring Cameroon.