Seven months after the abduction of her daughter by Boko Haram insurgents , Rebecca Sharibu broke down in tears on Saturday as she recalled the October deadline given to the Federal Government of Nigeria to act to save Leah Sharibu’ s life.
Leah was one of the 110 female students of Government Girls ’ Science and Technical College , Dapchi , Yobe State , abducted by Boko Haram on February 19 . While others were released , she was the only one held captive on account of her Christian faith.
Rebecca , who spoke during a press conference held at the national headquarters of the Nigeria Fellowship of Evangelical Students , pleaded with the international community to put pressure on the Federal Government to accede to the demands of Boko Haram in exchange for Leah ’ s release .
In attendance were the Executive Secretary , Nigeria National Missions Movement , Rev . Gideon Para – Mallam; Executive Secretary, Nigeria Evangelical Missions Association, Mike Adegbile ; an indigene of Borno State and Co – founder, Education Must Continue Initiative , Beckie Paul Gadzama ; and Head of Berom Outreach Ministry , an organisation coordinating ethnic nationalities in the Middle Belt, Chris Bature .
The breadwinner of the family , Nathan Sharibu, in a telephone interview with journalists , restated the threat by the insurgents to kill his daughter if the Federal Government did not implement their demands by October .
As she spoke about the expiration of the October ultimatum handed down by Boko Haram within which the Federal Government should implement their demands or they would kill Leah Sharibu, tears rolled down the cheeks of the embattled mother .
Rebecca said , “I am here on behalf of my family , particularly me and my husband to plead with the entire world , most especially the Federal Government, President Muhammadu Buhari , Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation , to please do whatever they can to ensure that Leah is released .
“ A threat has been sent out that with effect from October 2018 , Leah Sharibu would be next in line to be killed . I am pleading with the Federal Government to do whatever they feel should be done to release Leah before the expiration of the ultimatum .
“ Monday ( tomorrow ) will be October 1 . It is our desire that anybody that can do anything to free Leah should do that . We thank the entire world , most especially Nigerians for standing with the family and for their prayers on our behalf . ”
She also distanced the family from the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos by Daniel David Kadzai and a United States – based non – governmental organisation , Lift – Up- Now Incorporation , which sought, among other reliefs, N500 m as compensation for the indignities and human deprivations suffered by Leah since her abduction in February 2018 .
“ We heard that some persons have taken the Federal Government to court , but we are not aware and have not taken the Federal Government to court . My family didn ’ t take the Federal Government to court . I ’ m not aware of it and I did not send them . I am not after money ; all I want is my daughter to be released , ” she stated .
When asked if he knew about the agreement between Boko Haram and the Federal Government, Nathan said the family was not privy to the discussions.
He said , “ They ( Boko Haram ) said if the Federal Government did not respond to their demands (although they did not mention it) , they will kill my daughter.
They said the Federal Government did not respond to their demand ; but we didn ’ t know what it is all about . Since this thing happened , the Federal Government has not listened to them. So , we don ’ t know what they mean about that one .
“ I am pleading , on behalf of the family , with the Federal Government to act fast ; I am pleading with the international community and the whole world to put pressure on the Federal Government of Nigeria and ensure that my daughter is released . ”
Copyright PUNCH .
