Boko Haram: Is Leah Sharibu Dead?

Fate Of Leah Sharibu Remains Unclear

Members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect attacked the Government Girls Science Secondary School located in Dapchi, Yobe State in February 2018, kidnapping 110 girls.

Several weeks later, the terrorists released 104 of the kidnapped girls, unfortunately, five of the girls didn’t make it back alive as they reportedly died in captivity.

However, one of the abducted girls, identified as Leah Sharibu was intentionally held back by the abductors, allegedly because she refused to renounce her Christian faith.

Miss Sharibu was 14 years old when she was kidnapped by the terrorists but Naija News reports she has celebrated her 15th and 16th birthday while still in Boko Haram custody.

The group threatened to kill her or keep her as a slave forever should the government fail to pay ransom for her and meet some other demands made by it.

In August 2018, The Cable reported an exclusive picture and video of Sharibu in which she called on President Muhammadu Buhari to save her. She also requested members of the public to help save her from the predicament and help her family members.

The Boko Haram terrorists when they made good their threat to kill Hauwa Leman a kidnapped aid worker in Rann, Kala Balge local government area of Borno state also threatened to keep Miss Sharibu as a slave forever.

The federal government has always insisted that Sharibu would not be forgotten or left alone, insisting that all was been done to secure her release.

The then minister of information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed back in November 2018, assured that the federal government was pulling all the strings to ensure the release of the last Dapchi school girl, Leah Sharibu, who is still in the captivity of Boko Haram insurgents.

Similarly, President Muhammadu Buhari on several occasions and particularly in April 2019, stated that the government is making appreciable progress in negotiations to secure the release of Miss Sharibu.

About two years after the Sharibu and Dapchi saga, the Boko Haram fighters have continued to launch several daring attacks and kidnaps despite best efforts by military authorities to defeat the sect.

One of such recent kidnaps brought back the issue of Leah Sharibu to the front burner.

Naija News reported on Thursday, 25th July, that a worker for the Action Against Hunger, a non-governmental organisation in Borno State, captured by the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), has pleaded with President Buhari to rescue her.

Naija News reports that ISWAP is a faction of the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group.

Recall that the Action Against Hunger had disclosed that its members were attacked by terrorists while heading to Damasak.

The organisation disclosed that two drivers and four health workers are still missing after the attack by ISWAP.

Naija News gathered that the Nigeria military claimed to have located the aid workers, however, no move has been made to rescue the captives.

In the video by the kidnapped aid worker, which has since gone viral, she alleged that Leah Sharibu might have been killed by the terrorists.

However, in reaction, the presidency has said the latest video has created urgency for the security agencies, especially the secret service, to ensure the immediate release of those held captive by terrorist groups, adding that contact is being made with the captors.

But as the seconds turn to minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and then years, the clock keeps ticking and fears increase that hope may be gradually turning into despair for the kidnapped Miss Sharibu and her family.

The question on everyone’s mind which so far is unanswered remains ‘is Leah Sharibu dead or alive?