ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s official news agency says the government and Islamic extremists from Boko Haram have agreed to an immediate cease-fire.

It quotes the chief of defense staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, as ordering his troops to immediately comply with the agreement.

Another official confirmed there had been direct negotiations this week in neighboring Chad about the release of more than 200 kidnapped schoolgirls. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he said an official statement would be released later Friday.

Boko Haram has been demanding the release of detained extremists in exchange for the girls who were kidnapped in April.

Dozens escaped but 219 remain missing.