President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged to double efforts to free Leah Sharibu, a schoolgirl who was kidnapped two years ago.
Miss Sharibu and 109 other schoolgirls were kidnapped by the Boko Haram from the secondary school in Dapchi, Yobe State, on February 19, 2018.
A total of 107 girls survived the ordeal out of which 106 were released by the terrorists after negotiations with the government.
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Miss Sharibu was not released because she refused to denounce her Christian faith, one of the freed girls said after their release.
In a statement on Thursday, President Buhari said: “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.”
Read the president’s full statement he personally signed below.
On the second anniversary of Dapchi, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria makes the following statement:
“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 life is 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”.
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