Follow Us on Google
•FG has failed us – NGOs •We’re undaunted – CAN
From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The atmosphere was gloomy as family and friends converged on the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Garki, Abuja, to mark the fifth anniversary of Leah Sharibu’s abduction by Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe State.
Sharibu was one of the over 109 students of Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, whisked away on February 19, 2018.
While the other girls were freed about one month later, Sharibu was held for refusing to renounce her Christian faith. Different accounts abound concerning her whereabouts, wellbeing, treaties between the government and international communities.
Regardless, friends, family and concerned citizens who wore black attire in solidarity recently said they would not bow to the antics of the devil. At the event, chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Daniel Okoh, reminded Christians of the need for them to speak up against injustice and perceived persecution against their denomination.
Okoh added that the resilience of Sharibu to maintain her faith even in the dungeon of men of the underworld exemplified true faith in God. He reminded Christians of the need to always vote credible candidates with a human face and heart to salvage the country from the current state of despondency and lack engineered by maladministration.
He wondered why successive administrations have failed to clip the wings of Boko Haram elements who reign supreme as a result of their insidious modus operandi, especially in the North East.
Represented by the founder of Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam, Gideon Para-Mallam, Okoh said: “Leah has become, to Christians, a symbol of courage and faith in the face of severe persecution.
“Leah’s story has gained international attention and sparked discussions about religious persecution in Nigeria and around the world but none of that has led to Leah’s release.
“The Christian community has made several appeals both to her captors and the federal government to ensure her safe return, all to no avail.
“This year marks five years since the horrific event took place and Leah is still in captivity. Leah Sharibu’s case is just one out of the numerous cases of faith-based persecutions going on in Nigeria almost on a daily basis.
“Boko Haram elements have constantly unleashed terror on Nigerians, particularly in the North East, which led to the closure of some schools at the height of their atrocities and targeted abductions.”
He added that Leah’s story has become a metaphor for all those who are held captive by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria.
He said: “It is a tragic reminder of the reality of religious persecution going on in the country. It is also a testament to the power of faith and courage in the face of adversity that is synonymous with the Christian faith.
“Leah’s refusal to abandon her beliefs, even in the face of grave danger, has inspired and will continue to inspire many people around the world to stand up for what they believe in and fight for justice and freedom of belief for all people around the world.
“As long as we believe that Leah is alive, we shall continue to speak and ask for her release, likewise other people held captive in various kidnappers’ and Boko Haram cells around the country.
“Aside from inspiring those going through persecution to keep the faith alive, Leah’s story sheds light on rising insecurity in Nigeria and the unsuccessful attempts of government to keep Nigerians safe.
“This anniversary may, hopefully, move the government to be more committed to securing the release of Leah and other captives alive. Many people still get kidnapped on a daily basis in Nigeria and many of the kidnap victims do not make it out alive even after paying ransom.
“As a nation, we must arise and speak up against every form of injustice, no matter who is involved. We must demand better from our leaders. We must speak out against injustice and for fairness until every Nigerian is free from oppression.”
Equally, Para-Mallam said government’s inability to rescue Sharibu despite its assurances and the perceived fortification of the armed forces typified its failure. He said the present administration would go down in history as another failed regime, should it fail to retrieve the schoolgirl from bandits.
“So, the President will need to act until he brings Leah. But if in the end he does not, the record will speak for itself. It is a total failure.
“But we pray it doesn’t end in failure. We pray that it ends in success. Because we are Christians and we believe God that all things are possible, through our Lord Jesus Christ,” he said.
Meanwhile, president of Leadership Empowerment Advocacy Humanitarian (LEAH) Foundation, Dr. Gloria Puldu-Samdi, regretted that none of the presidential candidates in the February 25 poll presented policy statements on what they would do to release the captive.
She said: “It is a shame that, five years down the line, we are still calling on the government for the release of Leah. It is like a broken promise.
“They gave us a promise five years ago that they were going to release Leah. But down the line, it has not been fulfilled. And they have less than 100 days to go. But like Reverend said, they still have time to get Leah released.”
