Nathan Sharibu, father of Leah, who was kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists from her school, the Government Girls Science and Technical Secondary School in Dapchi, Yobe State, along with 110 other girls on the night of February 19, 2018, has expressed displeasure that the Federal Government has abandoned him and the rescue of his daughter from Boko Haram’s captivity.
Speaking on TVC early morning news programme through a telephone conversation as she clocked a year in captivity, Nathan pleaded with government to do everything possible to rescue Leah, adding that the situation was weighing him down.
“The Federal Government assured me that this administration would do its best to rescue my daughter. Besides that, President Muhammadu Buhari sent two ministers to my house in Dapchi, Yobe State to assure us that all that she would return home safely.
“Since then, I have not heard anything from the Federal Government again. The other bodies that have been deeply concerned about the development are only the churches and Muslims that are trying their possible best. The government has been silent on this issue. I am only pleading with government as I always do that they should do their possible best to see that my daughter returns safely.
“She is still a young girl and all of us have children in our homes. You can imagine my situation since then. Government supposed to do something urgently. Today is one year that she has been in captivity,” he said.
In the same vein, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), while reacting to Leah’s continue incarceration, called on government, security agencies to ensure that she is rescued back home to her parents in peace.
CAN President Rev. Samson Ayokunle, in a statement, called on Nigerians to pray for her safety while in the Boko Haram’s captivity.
The statement read: “It is reprehensible, wicked, ungodly and condemnable that this innocent girl is being persecuted because of her faith. Every opportunity CAN leadership has to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari is being used to prevail on his government to get her released. There was even two occasions when the terrorists reportedly signalled their readiness to release Leah, if the government is ready to pay her ransom, but there was nothing being done in this regard.
“All that were returned were said to be set free on the payment of the ransom though this was denied, but nobody buys the denial. And even if no kobo was paid and now the terrorists are willing to negotiate, what sacrifice is too much to get her free?
“We once again call on the government and all security agencies to wake up from their slumber. A government that cannot protect the citizens is a failed government.”
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