It’s exactly two years since Leah Sharibu was kidnapped in her school in Dapchi alongside 109 other students.
Of the 107 Dapchi schoolgirls who survived the ordeal, all except Leah Sharibu were returned to their community. Leah was the only one held back by her abductors because she refused to renounce Christianity and convert to Islam. She was later forcefully made to convert to Islam before being married off to a top Boko Haram commander who she now has a son with.
Marking Leah Sharibu’s second year in captivity, Oby Ezekwesili called out President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration for the way they’ve handled the situation. She said they have not kept contact with the girl’s heartbroken parents.
The former Minister of Education tweeted: “Today is 2 years since #LeahSharibu was abducted as part of the #DapchiSchoolGirls. You know what’s doubly tragic? The @NGRPresident @MBuhari and his administration @NigeriaGov have not kept any contact with her heartbroken parents since 2018. Such lack of compassion is wicked.”
She added: “In a few weeks, it will be 6 years since our #ChibokGirls were abducted. There are 112 still not brought back. Just like #LeahSharibu, their parents are treated with disregard and the @NigeriaGov @NGRPresident @MBuhari give them no updates about their children. No compassion.
“I repeat. @NigeriaGov @NGRPresident @MBuhari : Proverbs 17:5 He who mocks the poor taunts his/her Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished. Give justice to #LeahSharibu & our #112ChibokGirls and bring closure to their tragedies.”
President Buhari released a statement on the second anniversary of Leah Sharibu’s abduction.
The statement reads: “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 lives are 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.”
