The federal government has given a glimmer of hope that Leah Sharibu is still alive saying it was still negotiating with the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist group for her freedom.
Leah, it would be recalled, is a school girl who has been in Boko Haram captivity since she and 109 students of Government Girls’ Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe State were abducted by the terrorists on February 19, 2018.
One hundred and five of the girls regained freedom on March 21, 2018 through a series of what the federal government described as ‘behind-the-scene discussion’ while five were said to have died on the way on the day of captivity and were given a mass burial.
But 16-year-old Sharibu (she was 15 at the time of abduction), the only Christian girl among the hostages, was denied her freedom because she refused to convert to Islam as a precondition.
As speculation of her death became rife, Mr. Garba Shehu, media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari said in a statement in Abuja on Saturday that the young Sharibu was still alive as the government continued to negotiate her release from the terrorist group.
He assured Nigerians that the government would not give up on her.
“Instead of giving up, the government is carrying forward processes that should hopefully yield her release by her captors.”
“Lines of communications remain open with the kidnappers, ISWAP to secure the release of Leah Sharibu.
‘‘Contrary to false reports, she is alive – given assurances from our security agencies- and the government is committed to her safe return, as well as all other hostages to their families.
“Kidnapping for ransom should never be encouraged. This means not capitulating to the demands of terrorists: refrain from rewarding their heinous crimes with payment.
“With the abduction of loved family (members) and friends, the government understands how difficult these times are for them, but government is pursuing many options to ensure the safe return of Leah Sharibu.
“We must commit to law and communication, using the breadth of strategies at our disposal: legal initiatives, stakeholder cooperation, involvement of all relevant parties and the use of the latest hostage negotiation techniques.
‘‘Kidnapping for ransom is rising across the Sahel. We must – collectively – make sure we implement best practice to prevent its exploitation,” said Shehu.
