Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to facilitate the release of Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi schoolgirl held back by Boko Haram insurgents while others were released on Wednesday.
He, however, commended the Federal Government on the release of the 104 female students.
Boko Haram released 104 of the girls abducted from Government Science Secondary School, Dapchi Yobe State to their families and school authorities on March 21 after they had spent one month and two days with their abductors.
They, however, kept Leah Sharibu in their captivity alleging that she refused to convert from Christianity to Islam.
Badejo told NAN that the Federal Government would be restoring its confidence among Nigerians by facilitating the release of Leah from Boko Haram’s captivity.
“The biggest litmus test for President Buhari and the APC government in this Dapchi-girl saga is the case of Leah Sharibu, the only Dapchi girl yet to be released by Bobko Haram.
“Leah, on the evidence of her colleagues was not freed because she refused to renounce her Christian faith.
“Anyone who thinks this is just a Christian problem will be making a big mistake,’’ he said.
Badejo said that Christians would not be happy by any encroachment on Leah’s fundamental human rights.
He said that Christians were proud of the faith of Leah who had dared Boko Haram terrorists; though feared by many Nigerians.
“No amount of accolades will suffice to congratulate the girl and her parents who nurtured her to be that strong in her faith as to demonstrate such courage.’’
The prelate charged Nigerians to rise up, pray and take every necessary action that could lead to Leah’s release.
He also appealed to the international community to assist the Federal Government to secure the release of Leah from Boko Haram’s captivity.
The bishop, however, commended the Federal Government on the release of 104 out of the 110 kidnapped girls.
He urged the government to take the security of its citizens as a priority as he condoled with parents of the five students that died while in their abductors’ captivity.
“The over 100 Dapchi girls kidnapped by Boko Haram have been returned to great rejoicing from every coast. There is however more than a touch of lament and sadness for five of the girls who died during captivity.
“May God rest their souls in perfect peace and console all who are thus bereaved. Amen.
“Even as we all rejoice at the release of the Dapchi girls, it must be admitted that the continuing loss of lives and property of innocent Nigerian is tragic,” he said.
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