Two Years In Captivity: Buhari Remembers Leah Sharibu, Speaks About Her Freedom

President Buhari                                                                 Leah Sharibu

On Tuesday President Muhammadu Buhari commemorated the kidnapping of the last captive Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu.

Two years after a faction of the Boko Haram sect–Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) kidnapped the teenager, the president said the federal government has redoubled its effort for freedom.

President Buhari in a statement which he personally signed

A group of protesters demanding Leah Sharibu’s release from captivity.

He emphasized that Nigerians have the right to practice any religion of their choice and no one has the power to force another against their will to change their faith.

The President, however, gave a promise that his government would continue to work to ensure that Leah, as well as other children and victims of terrorists, recover their freedom.

He added that this would be done by the government, without discriminating against any religion or ethnic group.

On 19 February 2018, some insurgents stormed the Government Girls Secondary School in Dapchi, Yobe State, and abducted Leah and about 100 other girls.

The other girls were released weeks after the kidnap while the terrorists held Leah in captivity for failing to renounce her religion.

An audio clip appeared six months later in which the kidnapped schoolgirl pleaded with President Buhari to help her recover her freedom.

Leah also sought help for her family in the clip, and asked the government to passionately treat her case.

Last year, the family of Leah and the campaign group Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) commemorated her first year in the custody of the militant, and called on the government to ensure her release.

Read President Buhari’s Message below:

WE’LL CONTINUE TO SEEK AND SECURE RELEASE OF ALL CHILDREN AND CAPTIVES OF TERRORISTS – PRESIDENT BUHARI

On the second anniversary of Dapchi, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria makes the following statement:

Two years ago, 110 innocent children from the town of Dapchi were taken, against their will, by the terrorists of Boko Haram. 107 survived the ordeal. Today all but one – Leah Sharibu – are returned to their families.

Now aged 16, Leah remains in the hands of the terrorists – they say because she refuses to renounce her Christian faith.

We say, as the government for and of all Nigerians, that no person has the right to force another to change their faith against their will and that all life is sacred.

This government continues and seeks to secure the release of all children and captives of terrorists – and we do so regardless of their creed or the name of their creator.

As we redouble our efforts for Leah’s return, we can never allow the terrorists to divide us – Christian against Muslim, Muslim against Christian. We are all Sons of Abraham. And all Nigerians have the same worth and rights before the law, and before God.

Signed:

Muhammadu Buhari,

President and Commander-in Chief,

Federal Republic of Nigeria,

Abuja.

18-02-20