(VOVworld) - Islamist group Boko Haram released a video footage on Monday apparently showing kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls. In the 27-minute footage, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau said a number of the children were converted to Islam, adding that the girls will be freed only if Boko Haram imprisoned militants are released. Of the 3 girls seen speaking in the footage, 2 girls said they were Christian but converted to Islam while the other just said she is Muslim. One girl said the militants hadn’t abused her.

Girls wearing full veils and praying are shown in an undisclosed location in the video in which Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau speaks. (Photo: Reuters)

It was not clear where or when the video was recorded.

A mass kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok town in mid April and 8 other girls in Warabe village, in the northeastern state of Borno, triggered worldwide outrage. Since armed insurrection broke out in 2009 to form an Islamic state in northern Nigeria, Boko Haram, the biggest threat to Nigerian security, has claimed thousands of lives. So far this year its violent attacks have killed 1,500 people and left tens of thousands homeless.