By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
As abducted Leah Sharibu taken from her school in Dapchi, Yobe State clocks 19 years today, a group, Christian Solidarity Worldwide NIgeria (CSWN) is tasking the Federal Government to secure her freedom.
The appeal was contained in a statement signed by Research and Press Officer, CSWN, Reuben Buhari, dated Saturday May 14, 2022.
“As Leah Sharibu, who was abducted alongside other girls from Government Girls Science College Dapchi, Yobe State on February 19, 2018, clocks 19 years today, we join other well-meaning people globally to continue to ask for her release.
“Abducted alongside 110 girls aged 11 – 19 years, while others were returned to the school 30 days later by Boko Haram, Leah was not because of her faith.
“She was 14 years then and now 19, and has been in captivity since 2018,” the group said.
According to the statement titled, “Leah Sharibu: Has Nigeria Forgotten Her?” The group said she has been in captivity for too long.
“That she has stayed this long without getting released influenced CSWN to ask if the Nigerian government had forgotten about her and the pain her parents are still going through.
“Reminiscence of the 2014 Chibok girl’s abduction of 276 girls, all of Leah’s childhood dreams, stemming from her birth to when she went to school, have now been squashed by acts of inhumanity from people she neither knew nor has ever seen.
“She would have been through with her secondary education now if the country had not let her down, instead, she is living a life not conceived by her but forced by others.
“Her incarceration is not of her choice but due to her brave choice and passionate commitment to her faith which the Nigerian constitution gave her the right to,” it pointed out.
CSWN used the 19th birthday of Leah Sharibu to call on the government to do all within its power to ensure her release.
“CSWN is also asking the government of Nigeria to ensure that all others in different forms of captivity are released and united with their parents or loved ones.
“We further request that the Nigerian government pays sincere attention to the lingering menace of insecurity that has encircled the whole country and amplified the country’s economic woes,” it concluded.
