Buhari-led Administration Will Not Give Up On Leah Sharibu – Presidential Spokesman

The Presidency on Saturday assured that the Buhari administration will not give up on the safe return of Leah Sharibu, the student of Government Girls Science and Technical Secondary School, Dapchi, Yobe state, kidnapped by a faction of Boko Haram terrorists in February 2018.

Leah Sharibu was abducted along with other school girls who were later released by she was denied release owing to her faith.

Senior Special Assistant to the president on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, who gave the assurance while charting with a group of journalists in Abuja, said that instead of giving up, the government is carrying forward processes that should hopefully yield Leah’s release by her captors.”

Shehu, who stated these while responding to speculations on whether Leah Sharibu, the kidnapped Dapchi school girl had been killed by her abductors, said that much of what is written about the girl in the press are false news.

According to him; “Lines of communications remain open with the kidnappers, ISWA, to secure the release of Leah Sharibu.

“Contrary to false reports, she is alive – given assurances from our security agencies, and the government is committed to her safe return, as well as all other hostages to their families.

“Kidnapping for ransom should never be encouraged. This means not capitulating to the demands of terrorists: refrain from rewarding their heinous crimes with payment.

“With the abduction of loved family and friends, the government understands how difficult these time are for them, but government is pursuing many options to ensure the safe return of Leah Sharibu.

“We must commit to law and communication, using the breadth of strategies at our disposal: legal initiatives, stakeholder cooperation and involvement of all relevant parties and the use of the latest hostage negotiation techniques.

“Kidnapping for ransom is rising across the Sahel. We must – collectively – make sure we implement best practice to prevent its exploitation,” Shehu said.

The presidential spokesman appealed for patience and kind understanding in dealing with the challenge Leah’s case poses, stressing that the administration is fully conscious that any misstep on a delicate issue as this can be costly.