Dapchi: Northern Christians demand Leah Sharibu’s release

The leadership of the Congress of Northern Nigeria Christians in Kaduna on Monday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to do all within his power to rescue Miss Leah Sharibu, the only Christian girl yet to be released by Boko Haram after the Dapchi schoolgirls’ abduction.

The new organisation, CNNC, was inaugurated by a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on November 11, 2017.

Leah was among the 111 female students of the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State abducted by Boko Haram from the school on February 19.

While all the girls have been released by the sect and reunited with their parents, Leah is still being held because she refused to renounce her faith.

Briefing journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Kaduna on Monday, the CNNC noted with concern the abduction of the Dapchi schoolgirls after the Chibok saga and demanded freedom for all kidnapped girls.

The text of the press conference was read by the spokesman for  the organisation, Larry Yammai, while a former Vice-Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University, Prof. Adamu Baiki,  responded to questions raised by journalists.

Baiki is the interim chairman of CNNC.

Yammai said while the group rejoiced that the rest of the students had been released and reunited with their families, “the fate of Sharibu still hangs in the balance.”

He said, “CNNC notes with great concern the abduction of yet another set of schoolgirls. While we rejoice that almost all the girls have been released, we are heavily saddened that our daughter, Miss Leah Sharibu, is being held because of her faith.

“The truth is very obvious that the destruction project of the Boko Haram sect is very much targeted at Christians.  CNNC strongly condemns this evil tendency and urges Mr. President to, as a matter of urgency, intervene and ensure the immediate release of this young girl.”

On the Chibok girls, the spokesman said the group appreciated the effort of the Buhari government in rescuing the girls but demanded that all the remaining Chibok girls and other victims be released without delay.

“It is ironical that the detained terrorists are being released in greater numbers in the name of de-radicalisation while their captives are still being held,” Yammai added.

The CNNC, he added, condemned the persistent killings by herdsmen in the Middle Belt region and parts of South-South.

The new group also knocked the President for his lopsided appointments, noting that, “qualified and loyal citizens from the North who happen to be Christians are often turned away in their legitimate quest for jobs because of their faith.

“By the same reason, they are denied promotion. This unfair treatment should not have any place in the 21st Century when all nations are seeking for quality and experience hands to develop their countries.

“The northern state governments should please look into this matter and ensure that equity prevails in employment practices.”