By M. Peter, Jos
The Nigerian Christian girl, Leah Sharibu, abducted in 2017 by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, has spent three years in captivity as of Wednesday 6th May.
Sharibu Leah, a teenage girl from Yobe state, Northern Nigeria was among over 100 school girls kidnapped by the sect.
Marking the third anniversary of the abduction, parents of Leah Sharibu have called on the federal government to fulfill the promise its made and ensure the release of Leah.
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The parents said it is very unfortunate that they are still in great pains because Leah is still not home but they keep hearing all sorts of rumours about her condition in captivity.
They said that the Nigerian government should not think Leah would be forgotten because she represents the face who are persecuted for their religious beliefs, the face of the girl-child in the North-East who is being denied education.
Leah Sharibu
Dr. Gloria Puldu, the Executive Director, Leah Foundation who spoke on behalf of the parents urged the federal government to secure the release of the girl.
“For the commemoration of Leah’s 3rd birthday in Boko Haram captivity we ask the Nigerian government to take action and fulfil the so many promises they made to the Sharibu family and to all Nigerians. They have promised to ensure the secure the release of their daughter Leah and also a Nigerian child.
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“Nigerians are waiting, now that the world has seen that Chadian Soldiers have cleared Boko Haram from the Lake Chad area where Leah Sharibu is suspected to be. The question begging for answer is where is Leah Sharibu? As Leah’s parents we call on President Buhari to rise up to his responsibility of securing the release of our daughter like he did when he ensured that all other Muslim girls abducted along side her were released just a month of their abduction.”
“Leah is now over two years and yet the claimed negotiations that the Federal government always tells Nigerians that they are doing with Boko Haram to secure her release has not seen the light of the day. If there is sincerity on the side of the Government then let us see them fulfill their promises. It seems that the Government simply want to make Nigerians and the International community who demand for the release of Leah to be quite, therefore they are always claiming that negotiations are going on to secure her release.”
“This is very unfortunate that we are still in great pains because Leah is still not home. We keep hearing all sorts of rumours about her condition in captivity. It is very painful. Let the Nigerian government know that Leah will never be forgotten in captivity. She will still be remembered because she represents the face who are persecuted for their religious beliefs. She represents the face of the girl-child in the North-East who is being denied education. Leah is a bold and courageous child whom has stood boldly and courageously in defence of her faith therefore she will never be forgotten in captivity.”
She added, “We call on all to continue to pray for Leah and to pressure the Nigerian government to take action and fulfil their promises to secure Leah’s release. We appreciate all who stand up for the release of Leah.”
