regain freedom.She made the plea in an exclusive audio clip published by TheCable on Monday.
In the clip, the 15-year-old who has been in captivity for six months also
sought help for her family.
“I am Leah Sharibu, the girl that was abducted in GGSS Dapchi. I am
calling on the government, particularly, the President to pity me and get
me out of this serious situation,” she said in Hausa.
The schoolgirl added, “I also plead to the members of the public to help
my mother, my father, my younger brother and relatives. Kindly help me out
of my predicament.
“I am calling on the government and people of goodwill to intervene to get
me out of my current situation. I am begging you to treat me with
compassion. Thank you.”
Leah, one of the over 100 schoolgirls abducted in February from the
Government Girls Secondary School, Dapchi in Yobe State, was kept in
captivity by the terrorists reportedly for refusing to renounce
Christianity.
She was the only Christian among the girls.
Following the abduction, the Federal Government said it was going with the
option of negotiation to ensure the Dapchi girls regain their freedom
rather than the use of military force.
This led to the release of the girls (except Leah) who were brought back
to the community by the terrorists in March after spending four weeks in
captivity.
But Leah’s continued stay in the terrorists’ captivity sparked a
widespread criticism, although the government said it was making efforts
to ensure her safe return.
Contrary to the claims that no money was paid for the release of the other
Dapchi schoolgirls, the United Nations said they were returned “in
exchange for a large ransom payment.”
A report released by the UN in mid-August also accused some
non-governmental organisations of sending funds to Boko Haram and other
local terrorist groups in the West African region.