TheCable

They brought back our girls but “our girl” is not back.

Leah Sharibu, the only Christian among the 110 students abducted by Boko Haram from Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe state, is still in captivity.

The girls abducted on February 19 were released a month later, with the exception of Sharibu, whom the insurgents reportedly held back for refusing to renounce her Christian faith.

Many religious bodies and organisations have called on the federal government to secure her release while lauding her courage to hold on to her belief.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), noting that the basis for holding Sharibu back is “faulty and unIslamic”, asked Nigerians to pray for her safe return. The group asked the federal government to return to the negotiation table in order to secure Sharibu’s release.

Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), asked God to visit Boko Haram camp and set Sharibu free.

President Muhammadu Buhari promised that Sharibu would not be abandoned.

“It is my responsibility, under the constitution of Nigeria, to protect all Nigerians—and I will always strive to do that. Leah will not be abandoned. We will do everything in our power to bring Leah back safely,” Buhari had said.

SHARIBU IS COMING… NO, SHE’S NOT

On Saturday, there were reports that Sharibu had been released and Boko Haram fighters were taking her back to Dapchi. Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police (IGP), also spoke about this.

“I am supposed to go to Dapchi today (Saturday), but because I learnt that that schoolgirl, Leah, may be released today, that was why I had to shelve my trip to the town,” Idris had said.

“It is very understandable that in such circumstance, one does not create too much security presence in the area in a manner that it could sabotage the efforts being made there.

“You know, I move with helicopter, and by the time I fly into the area, they (Boko Haram) may think I break what the understanding may have been there. So, I have to postpone the visit to Dapchi.”

But while the return of Sharibu was still being awaited, the police said the IGP was misunderstood and misquoted, adding that there was no information on when Sharibu would be released.

On Thursday, Buka Ibrahim, a senator from Yobe state, said serious negotiations were ongoing to secure her release. We won’t be surprised if the lawmaker makes a U-turn tomorrow.

AND EASTER IS HERE

While Christian faithful all over the world celebrate the Easter period in happiness and freedom, the same cannot be said for Sharibu and her family. How will the girl celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ in the midst of those whose sole reason for keeping her back, is to have her do otherwise? It’s indeed a dark period for the Sharibus.

As for the public, we do not know what to believe at the moment. The government needs to make clarifications on the whereabouts of the innocent girl that it made vulnerable. Sharibu went to school to seek knowledge but became a victim of insecurity. She needs to be reunited with her family, the light needs to shine on her again.