Justin Tyopuusu Jalingo
Parents of the released Dapchi schoolgirls have called on the Federal Government to step up action and ensure timely release of Leah Sharibu, the only girl still being held by Boko Haram days after the insurgents returned the abducted girls.
Secretary of the parents’ association, Mallam Bukar Kachalla, told our correspondent on phone that the parents have sent a strong message to President Muhammadu Buhari demanding the release of Leah Shuriabu.
According to him, the parents did not demand monetary compensation for the abduction and release of their daughters, but want the Federal Government to deploy the intelligence and negotiation it employed in the release of the other 107 girls and a boy for the release of Leah Sharibu.
“If the Federal Government can facilitate the release of 107 of our girls, it will take them less energy to secure the release of Leah Sharibu.
“We condemn the religious colouration being painted in the issue of Leah. We are all united as parents and our association is still intact and our message is ‘bring back Leah to us.’
“This is not an issue of religion. We are all concerned that Leah is still being held by Boko Haram. We are not concerned about religion here. Our primary goal is the safe and timely release of Leah Sharibu,” he said.
Leah’s mother, Mrs. Rebecca Sharibu, in a phone interview with our correspondent said she has lost sleep since the abduction of Leah and that she almost developed a heart attack the day 107 girls were released, but Leah was not among them.
On her position over Leah’s purported refusal to convert to Islam as the reason she is still being held by the insurgents, Rebecca said she was proud of Leah’s faith, adding, “We gave Leah a sound Christian teaching which cannot just be swept away.
“She grew up in ECWA and she assimilated the teachings of the church. So, I have no problem with her refusal to convert. I am proud of her,” she said.
While praying to God for the release of her daughter, Rebecca appealed to concerned authorities, especially President Muhammadu Buhari, to help to secure the release of her daughter.
“Buhari should come to my aid and not abandon Leah. He should do everything possible to ensure her safe and timely release,” Rebecca pleaded.
Punch
