22nd March, 2018
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to secure the release of the remaining Dapchi girl, Leah Sharibu still being held captive by Boko Haram for refusing to denounce her Christian faith.
Sharibu was not released with other Dapchi girls because she refused to convert to Islam, choosing rather to remain in captivity than to deny Christ.
A statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity on Thursday said the president was as committed to the freedom of the only Dapchi schoolgirl still in captivity as he was to the girls’ freedom when all 110 were in the captivity of Boko Haram terrorists.
“The Buhari administration will not relent in efforts to bring Leah Sharibu safely back home to her parents as it has done for the other girls after she was held back by the terrorists over her decision, as reported, not to convert from Christianity to Islam.
“President Buhari is fully conscious of his duty under the constitution to protect all Nigerians, irrespective of faith, ethnic background or geopolitical location and will not shirk in this responsibility.
“The President is equally mindful of the fact that true followers of Islam all over the world respect the injunction that there is no compulsion in religion,” the statement said.
According to Shehu, Buhari believed that no one or group could impose its religion on another, adding that his heart goes out to the isolated parents who must watch others rejoice while their own daughter is still away.
“The lone Dapchi girl, Leah, will not be abandoned. President Buhari assures the Sharibu family that he will continue to do all he can to ensure that they also have cause to rejoice with their daughter soon,” Shehu said.