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Buhari Promises Rescue Of Leah Sharibu (Lone Dapchi Girl Left)

President Muhammadu Buhari said he was committed to the freedom of Leah Sharibu, the only Dapchi student left in the captivity due to her refusal to renounce her faith as a Christian.

Of the 110 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists from Government Girls’ Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe State on February 19, 104 were returned by the Islamist sect to Dapchi on Wednesday before their movement to Abuja, five reportedly died in captivity, while Leah remains in captivity.

Out of the 110 girls, Leah was the only Christian.

Reacting to condemnations trailing the action of the terrorists who chose not to return her because she refused to renounce her faith, Buhari, according to a statement by Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity, said he remained committed to Leah’s freedom the same way he was committed to the freedom of all the girls.

Restating that Leah would not be abandoned, the statement further said the president sympathised with Leah’s parents whom he acknowledged must have been depressed when they saw others rejoice over their daughters’ return.

It also said Buhari was conscious of the belief in Islam that religion is not a compulsion, and hence, cannot be imposed on anyone.

“The Buhari administration will not relent in efforts to bring Leah Sharibu safely back home to her parents, as it has done for the other girls after she was held back by the terrorists over her decision, as reported, not to convert from Christianity to Islam.

“President Buhari is fully conscious of his duty under the Constitution to protect all Nigerians, irrespective of faith, ethnic background or geopolitical location and will not shirk in this responsibility.

“The president is equally mindful of the fact that true followers of Islam all over the world respect the injunction that there is no compulsion in religion.

“To this effect, no one or group can impose its religion on another. His heart goes out to the isolated parents who must watch others rejoice while their own daughter is still away.

“The lone Dapchi girl, Leah, will not be abandoned. President Buhari assures the Sharibu family that he will continue to do all he can to ensure that they also have cause to rejoice with their daughter soon,” the statement said.

Joining the president to condemn the refusal by Leah’s captors to release her due to her Christian faith, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) yesterday called on the federal government to return to the negotiation table in order to secure her release.

In a statement, Ishaq Akintola, director of the group, said the basis for holding Sharibu back was “faulty and unIslamic”.

Akintola said the decision of the sect to keep Leah captive was aimed at dividing Nigeria along religious lines.

“We reject Boko Haram as an Islamic group. We urge the leadership and members of the group to re-examine its ideological base,” the statement said.

“Leah Sharibu must be set free because the basis for holding her after setting her schoolmates free is faulty and unIslamic. We charge the federal government to go back to the negotiation table in order to secure the release of the only Christian girl among the Dapchi girls who is being held back by the insurgents.

“The federal government should note that Boko Haram is not as daft as many people think. By withholding the Christian girl, they seek to divide Nigerians once again along religious lines,” MURIC said.

The group commended Leah’s courage for refusing to bow to pressure in violation of her fundamental human rights.

“Our hearts are heavy with grief over her plight. We salute her courage. Shame on Boko Haram for oppressing a lone, vulnerable and helpless girl. Shame on all those who suppress freedom of worship,” the group added.

“We appeal to Nigerians to invoke special prayers in the mosques and churches for this Christian girl who had the courage to stare her oppressors in the face. We should also continue to pray for the remaining Chibok girls.”

When the 104 Dapchi schoolgirls were returned on Wednesday, Leah’s father, Nata Sharibu, said he was that happy his daughter did not denounce her faith.

“They gave her the option of converting in order to be released but she said she will never become a Muslim… I am very sad but I am jubilating too because my daughter did not denounce Christ,” he had said.

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