Wednesday, February 19, 2020 marked two years since Leah Sharibu and 109 other girls were kidnapped from their school in Dapchi, Yobe State by Boko Haram. Leah is the only one of the abducted pupils still being held by her abductors since February 19, 2018 on account of her Christian faith. Her father, Nathan Sharibu, tells HINDI LIVINUS he believes his daughter has not renounced her faith
Leah Sharibu has been in captivity for two years, how difficult has it been for you and your family since she was kidnapped?
It has been very difficult for the entire family indeed and it is very sad. Leah was abducted on February 19, 2018 and today (Wednesday) makes it two years exactly that she has been in captivity. I was sad when I heard about her abduction
What went through your mind when you first heard about it?
It was not a new thing because it had happened in Chibok (in Borno State). You know it happened in Chibok before it happened in Dapchi. So when it happened in Dapchi, initially, I did not know that my daughter was involved. It was later we discovered that my daughter was among those kidnapped.
So how did you feel when 106 of the abducted children were brought back and you realised your daughter was not among them?
They spent only one month (in captivity). I met with those who returned from captivity personally and interviewed them. They said the reason why my daughter, Leah, was not released was because she was the only Christian among them and they asked her to renounce her Christian faith, but that Leah told them she could not deny her Christian faith. That’s why she is kept in captivity until today.
When you heard she refused to renounce her faith, how did you feel?
I felt very happy about it and I was encouraged by her courage, just like all other Christians.
Are you still confident that Leah has yet to renounce her Christian faith?
Well, the latest information I have on that is that up till now, Leah has not renounced her Christian faith. I know my daughter and who she is.
Some recent reports suggest that Leah is now a mother, how did you receive this news?
Her mother has been very disturbed by the news. Since that was reported, every week, she has been going in and out of hospital to see her doctor. Her health condition became bad after Leah was abducted.
How disappointed are you that the government promised to secure her release but has yet to do so?
I feel really disappointed by government’s failure to secure her release two years after her abduction. I am calling on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is a father and a grandfather to get my daughter. He promised the family that his administration would do its best to secure the release of Leah. He promised Nigerians that his administration would do everything possible to secure the release of my daughter. He even promised the whole world that Leah would be released.
But up till now, there’s no positive result. I’m pleading with him to fulfil the promise he made to my family, Nigerians and the entire world.
Has the government been in touch with your family?
The government was in touch with the family in Dapchi shortly after the incident and after the release of the other girls. The President sent a delegation led by three ministers, who met with the family in Dapchi. The delegation assured my family of the President’s promise to secure the release of Leah. But since that visit, the government has not been in touch nor has there been any communication with my family.
The family is still in critical pain. Her (Leah’s) grandmother, grandfather, uncles, aunts and siblings are just managing to cope with the trauma.
How would you describe the mood in the family since Leah was kidnapped?
The mood in the family has remained that of gloom and sadness since Leah’s abduction.
Can you remember the last conversation you had with her?
I was the one who took her to school before her abduction. The last conversation I had with her was on the day I took her to school, and since then, I have not heard from her because of her abduction.
What has Leah’s abduction taught you?
I miss her greatly.
People know her name all over the world but don’t really know her, what kind of daughter is Leah Sharibu?
Leah is a very kind and obedient daughter. Leah is also a very devout and pious girl. That’s why I remain confident and find it difficult to believe she will renounce her Christian faith because she showed it while she was still free. The only thing I want is for the whole world to put pressure on the Federal Government to secure her release. I want to also show my appreciation to Christians and Muslims who have joined in the call for her release.
Leah is young; she is an indigene of Adamawa but was born in Dapchi. She grew up in Dapchi. When she was abducted, she was almost 16 years old. She was born on May 13, 2003.
There were reports recently that she had a baby for Boko Haram commander, do you believe that?
When I heard the news, I was sad. But then, I received the news with all pleasure. I even said all I wanted was to have Leah Sharibu back, with or without the baby. The Federal Government knows the whereabouts of Leah Sharibu, and I want the government to know there can be no price too high for the government to pay for her release. Leah is more valuable than any price. On this, I will like to see President Muhammadu Buhari, plead with him and remind him of his promise to my family.
There was a report that the family once sued the Federal Government over her continued captivity, what became of the case?
No, as a family, we have never instituted any case against the Federal Government. It was just a rumour.
Are you still hopeful that she will return home one day?
By God’s grace, sure. I have hope. I want the government to make more effort to secure her release since the government itself said it was negotiating her release. I want the negotiations to be rushed. The President has even said the government would make more effort to ensure Leah’s release; I want the government to fulfil its promise.
You said you would like to see retired Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, why?
He did not invite me but I want to see him about the negotiation for Leah’s release. I want to see him.
How have her siblings and mother been dealing with her disappearance?
It’s been very traumatic for the family. Her mother has to go for weekly medical checkup. Leah’s mother is a primary school teacher in Yobe State, which is why she’s still in Yobe, even
though she’s is from Borno State. When Leah was abducted, I was working here, in Yola.
There was a report about her mother fainting one time, can you talk about what happened?
It happened on the day the other schoolgirls were brought back. She fainted when she noticed that her daughter was not among the girls who were returned. She was rushed to the hospital and since then, Leah’s continued captivity has been taking its toll on her health.
I am pleading with Buhari, who is a father and a grandfather, to secure the release of my daughter. I am begging and pleading with him to fulfil his promise to secure Leah’s release. He made the promise to the family, Nigerians and the whole world to ensure her safe return to her family. I am begging him to do his utmost best to fulfil that promise.
| Posted: at | |
jahlovesme
TRENDING GISTS 
EFCC Boss, Olukoyede Faces Visa Ban Threat Over Yahaya Bello's Case
Moses Bliss Reacts After A Troll Bashes Him For Allowing His Wife Preach Whenever They Go For Events
Manchester United v Arsenal: English Premier League Match,Team News,Goal Scorers and Stats
Your First Salary Belong To Your Father For His Blessings Not to Your Pastor - Kanayo O. Kanayo
JUST IN! Gov. Fubara Relocates Rivers Assembly Sitting To Government House
9yr Old Boy Stabs His 10yr Old Classmate to Death on Their Home From School