The family of Leah Sharibu on Sunday renewed their appeal to the Federal Government and the international community not to give up on their daughter who is being held hostage by Boko Haram.
Sharibu was taken hostage alongside some Dapchi school girls in February 2018.
While some of the Dapchi school girls were released by Boko Haram, Sharibu was held back because she refused to give up her Christian faith.
At a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the mother of the 15 year-old girl, Rebecca, pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari, the United States and United Kingdom to do everything in their powers to rescue her.
She urged the President and the government ministerial delegation to keep the promise they made when they visited her family in October last year.
Speaking through an interpreter, she said: “I have come before you and the federal government to plead that you don’t forget Leah.
“The President spoke with me on phone and encouraged me not to worry, and with the assurance that my daughter will be released. Three minister’s also visited me and gave me assurance but till today, I haven’t heard anything, hence my coming before you to plead.
“The government should keep its promises made by the President and the ministers who visited us in Dapchi in October.
“There is a Hausa proverb which says, ‘Whenever you make a promise, the best thing to do is to keep that promise. Leah was 14 when she was abducted, she has clocked 15 in Boko Haram custody.”
The founder of Para-Mallam Foundation, Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam, described Sharibu as a heroine of faith, stressing that she represented what Nigerians should be.
While praying for her release, the cleric wondered why the abduction of Sharibu, the Chibok girls and other hostages was not a campaign issue, noting that it was concerning that none of the presidential candidates talked about their plan to rescue Nigerians in Boko Haram custody.
He said: “We will love to hear from all the presidential candidates what exactly they are planning to do to bring Leah to freedom if for any reason she is not released before the 19th of February. We want to hear her name and story becoming a campaign issue.
“The silence from all the presidential candidates about Leah and others in captivity is not encouraging, so we are using this appeal and thus campaign season to hear what the presidential candidates have to say about Leah’s freedom. It’s important for all Nigerians and the global community.”
An American teenager, Becca Lubbert, who flew into the country to identify with Sharibu’s plight, described the Dapchi schoolgirl as an incredible example of standing for one’s faith.
She asked the government to protect schools and rescue those in Boko Haram captivity.
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Source: Nation
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