THE founder of Oodua People’s Congress, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi school girl who has remained in Boko Haram captivity, is reunited with her family to celebrate Easter.

Fasehun said it was unfortunate that after negotiations with government representatives, Boko Haram returned only 104 girls to Dapchi, amid reports that five captives died in transit, while Miss Leah Sharibu, 15, is being held for refusing to renounce her Christian faith.

He added, “That the Federal Government agreed to such a divisive deal is dangerous, insensitive and unpatriotic.

“Nobody should make a martyr of that small girl. Her ordeal for being a Christian makes many Nigerians to wonder if religion is why the government appears to be foot-dragging in negotiating the release of the Chibok girls, many of whom are Christians.

“The Leah episode is an international embarrassment and it is another heartbreaking proof, plus others like the unchecked killings by Fulani herdsmen that PMB belongs to some people and not to others.”

Fasehun asked eminent Muslims such as the Sultan of Sokoto and all northern emirs to bring pressure to bear on Boko Haram for the quick release of the young girl.

He added, “There is no other way for these Muslim leaders to convince the world of their disagreement with Boko Haram’s philosophy and action than to call for her (Leah’s) immediate return and their denunciation of this gross violation of Leah’s rights to life, belief, movement, conscience and association, as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter and United Nations Conventions.” – Punch

– Mar. 28, 2018 @ 16:12 GMT |