Yusuf Bello| President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said his government will do everything possible to free Leah Sharibu and other school girls in the custody of Boko Haram insurgents.
The President who made the pledge while commemorating the second year of the abduction of Leah Sharibu, the remaining Dapchi schoolgirl in captivity of the insurgents, said the Federal Government has redoubled its effort towards her freedom.
In a statement personally signed by him, President Buhari regretted that Leah has remained in the custody of the terrorists following her refusal to renounce her Christian faith.
According to the President, Nigerians have the right to practice any religion of their choice and nobody has the power to force another to change their faith against their will.
He assured that his administration would continue to work to ensure that Leah, as well as other children and captives of terrorists, regain their freedom.
Leah Sharibu was abducted alongside with over 100 girls by Boko Haram insurgents on February 19, 2018, from Government Girls Secondary School in Dapchi.
The insurgents later released the girls a few days later but kept back Leah following her refusal to denounce her Christian faith.
Below is the full text of the President’s speech…
WE’LL CONTINUE TO SEEK AND SECURE RELEASE OF ALL CHILDREN AND CAPTIVES OF TERRORISTS – PRESIDENT BUHARI
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.
Signed:
Muhammadu Buhari,
President and Commander-in Chief,
Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Abuja.
18-02-20
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