Leah Sharibu’s death report ‘fake news’, says FG

Ebun Francis|

The Federal Government has condemned the report that the abducted Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, has died in captivity of Boko Haram terrorists.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated that there was nothing of such while addressing reporters on Sunday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

“It’s absolutely fake news. There is nothing like that,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by his media aide, Segun Adeyemi.

Mr Mohammed queried why such a report would emerge at a time when the nation and its people were preparing for the presidential election.

He said that the report was an alleged plot by the political opposition to tarnish the image of the Muhammadu Buhari administration and exploit primordial sentiments ahead of the polls.

“I think it’s part of the opposition’s strategies to throw everything at the administration and at the President. I think every day, they are realising the hopelessness of their position,” the minister claimed.

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He added, “Everyday they are amazed by the support Mr President is receiving from every part of the country and they have decided that they are going to spread falsehood, … but people are not listening to them.”

Meanwhile, the family of abducted Dapchi schoolgirl has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to secure the release of their daughter from the captivity of Boko Haram terrorists.

They made the call while addressing a press conference on Sunday in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The briefing held ahead of the one year anniversary of Leah’s abduction by a faction of the Boko Haram sect – Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Leah’s mother, Rebecca Sharibu, who spoke in Hausa broke down in tears as she called for her daughter’s release.

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She appealed to the President to make good his promise of ensuring that her daughter was freed from the custody of her abductors.

Another member of the family, Gloria Puldu, explained that the press briefing was called to remind Nigerians and the entire world that their daughter has not been released by her abductors.

Gloria said, “We as a family decided to call for the press briefing to ask everyone not to forget Leah because Leah is still in captivity.

“In less than eight days now, she will be spending one year in captivity if she is not released before then.

“Leah is in captivity because she refused to renounce her faith. Please, Leah should be set free, Leah should not be allowed to be killed in captivity,” she added.

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