Dapchi school girl; Leah Sharibu is still alive says government official

A Nigerian government official has
addressed rumours that abducted Christian
schoolgirl Leah Sharibu has been killed.
A statement released by the special
assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari
said that the 16-year-old, abucted from her
school by militants last year, is still alive.
The statement said that the government
was continuing negotiations with the
Islamic State West African Province
(ISWAP), the faction of the Islamist
terrorist group Boko Haram that is holding
Leah.
“Lines of communications remain open
with the kidnappers, ISWAP, to secure the
release of Leah Sharibu,” the statement
reads.
“Contrary to false reports, she is alive –

given assurances by our
security agencies – and the government is
committed to her safe return, as well as all
other hostages to their families.”
It added that the government had no
intention of giving in to demands for a
ransom.
“Kidnapping for ransom should never be
encouraged. This means not capitulating to
the demands of terrorists and refraining
from rewarding their heinous crimes with
payment,” the statement said.
Leah was 14-years-old when she was
abducted along with over 100 of her
classmates from her secondary school in
Dapchi, Yobe state, on 19 February 2018.
The other girls were all released several
weeks later but the militants did not let
Leah go because she refused to renounce
her Christian faith.
In October last year, ISWAP said they had
decided to retain her as a slave for life.
Dr Matthew Rees, Head of Advocacy at
Open Doors UK and Ireland, said: “Leah
Sharibu was kidnapped because she is a
girl and held captive because she is a
Christian.
“She embodies the incredibly vulnerable
position of Christian women in northern
Nigeria.
“It is outrageous that Leah remains in
captivity, abused as a PR tool and
negotiating pawn by Boko Haram.
However, the government’s assurance that
it will make more efforts to secure her
release is encouraging.”
Nigeria is number 12 on Open Doors’ 2019
World Watch List of the 50 countries where
Christians face the most extreme
persecution.