Leah Sharibu: Senators Urge FG ‘To Do Everything’ To Get Teen Out Of Boko Haram Captivity

L-R: Leah Sharibu and President Muhammadu Buhari.

Leah Sharibu: Senators Urge FG ‘To Do Everything’ To Get Teen Out Of Boko Haram Captivity

The Senate has urged the Federal Government to try the option of dialogue to hasten the release of Leah Sharibu, who is currently in Boko Haram captivity.

Baba News reports that this followed a Point of Order by Sen. Shehu Sani (PRP-Kaduna) at plenary on Thursday.

Sharibu is one of the 115 pupils abducted from Science Secondary School Dapchi, Yobe State, on 19 February, 2018.

Referring to Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rule, under personal explanation, Sani said it was disheartening that 14 months after the abduction, Leah was still in the captivity of Boko Haram.

He also drew attention to the fate of some Chibok School girls still in Boko Haram captivity, five years after their abduction.

He said although there was no doubt that the federal government had intervened in ensuring the release of some of the captors, there was a concern that there seemed to be silence on the release of the remaining girls.

“My problem is the silence of the political class. The silence of those that need to speak out,” he said.

“The stand that we should not negotiate with terrorists is true but we have a hostage at hand and the life of that hostage is more important than any grandstanding.

“For every day this girl remains in the custody of her abductors, the cloud of guilt will continue to hang over Nigeria.

“This girl has carried out her duty, if she is slain, her blood will speak on the conscience of this nation.

“That is why I said even if nobody has the courage to speak about her and the others, I will.

“I urge the federal government to do everything to secure Leah’s release.”

According to him, the captivity of the girls calls for urgent action to ensure their release.

The lawmaker said, “There appears to be a lull in terms of interest to secure the release of these girls.

“What may be the most important strategy to be adopted in getting Leah and others out of captivity is the option of dialogue with their abductors.

“It has worked in so many other places where similar abductions have taken place like Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc, terrorised by the Talibans.

“Though government cannot be said not to have taken actions in getting Leah and others released, there is the need for it to redouble and expedite actions in that direction.

“This is for parents and relatives of the abductees be freed from the psychological trauma they must have been facing and for the abductees to know that they have a country that cares for them.”

Speaking in the same vein, Senate President Bukola Saraki restated that efforts must be made for the release of Leah and others.

Meanwhile, Sani, in an interview with journalists shortly after plenary, said he raised the issue at plenary to “prick the conscience of Nigerians and to bring the attention of the government to this matter.

“Leah Sharibu symbolises resilience against a violent deadly element and such
a young soul must not be allowed to perish,” he added.

“I called for the government to reactivate the dialogue process towards securing the release of these girls.

“Dialogue involves making the right contact with mediators and negotiators who will make an offer to the insurgents, reach out to them and secure Leah Sharibu and the other girls’ release.”

Sani, who is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, said he was confident that the girls would be released through negotiation and mediation.