The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the only Dapchi Schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, who is still in Boko Haram captivity, is released unhurt.
Sharibu has been in Boko Haram captivity since February 19, 2018 when the Boko Haram insurgents abducted her and 110 other girls from the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe State.
But after waiting for six months and with little or no action by the government to get her out, Sharibu who marked her 15th birthday in Boko Haram captivity on May 14, reportedly pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to secure her release.
In a 35-second online audio message released recently, she pleaded with the federal government to save her from her captors. “I am Leah Sharibu, the girl that was abducted in GGSS Dapchi.
“I am Leah Sharibu, the girl that was abducted in GGSS Dapchi.
“I am calling on the government and people of goodwill to intervene to get me out of my current situation.
“I also plead to the members of the public to help my mother, my father, my younger brother and relatives. Kindly help me out of my predicament.
“I am begging you to treat me with compassion, I am calling on the government, particularly, the president to pity me and get me out of this serious situation. Thank you,” she said.
In a statement, ACF national publicity secretary, Mr. Muhammadu Biu, noted that majority of the kidnapped girls were rescued by the military and other security agencies one month after their abduction.
He said Leah’s audio message has raised widespread concern for her safety in the minds of her parents and other citizens.
“We have received with grief and hope the audio voice alleged to be that of the Dapchi girl, Leah Sharibu, still in the captivity of Boko Haram terrorists that abducted the Dapchi girls in February this year.
“In the alleged audio, Leah is appealing to President Buhari and all Nigerians to come to her rescue from the terrorists. If the audio is truly of Leah, it gives hope that the girl is still alive and may be released some day,” he said.
He described federal government’s assurance that security agencies were decoding the audio recording to verify its authenticity as a welcome development.
“ACF, however, urges the federal government to not only fast-track the process of verification of the audio, but also utilise its intelligence to trace and rescue Leah and other Chibok girls that have been in the terrorists’ den for the past four years,” he added.
The Forum also appealed to Nigerians “to be prayerful and hopeful for the successful rescue of our kidnapped girls and many others in the captivity of Boko Haram terrorists. The situation demands consciously directed efforts from all.”
