The Bring Back Our Girls movement is seeking a proof of life from the Presidency that Leah Sharibu, the left-behind Christian school girl from Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State; and aid worker, Grace Ngadda Loksha, are still alive.
Sharibu was the only school girl held back because she would not renounce her faith in Jesus Christ and has been held for more than 17 months; while Ngadda, a Christian mother of two, was allegedly left alive after two of her fellow aid workers, who are Muslims were killed by a factional arm of Boko Haram affiliated to the Islamic State in the West African Province (ISWAP).
A disturbing video of another set of six aid workers of the Action Against Hunger group emerged Thursday where the Christian lady in the group, Grace Taku, said Sharibu and Ngadda had been killed. Taku appealed to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Federal Government to facilitate their release.
But the #BringBackOurGirls movement has called on the federal government to confirm or deny the information in the video that Leah and Ngadda had been killed.
CAN has also called on government to show commitment and get the 16 years old student and Ngadda as well as others released.
The President of CAN, Dr Samson ‘Supo Ayokunle, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the release of all hostages in the den of the Boko Haram terrorists.
In a statement through his spokesman, Pastor Bayo Oladeji, Ayokunle said the primary duty of any government, is the security of lives and property of the governed. Any government that cannot guarantee this primary responsibility may lose the confidence of the citizens, he added.
He disclosed that CAN had watched the disturbing video, and was worried about their plight and that of a National Youth Service Corps member, Abraham Amuta and a cleric with Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), identified as Pastor Moses Oyeleke in Borno State.
“We have heard the prompt response made by the Federal government to the Save-Our-Soul cry of Grace (Taku) and we join her in calling on President Muhammadu Buhari, and the security agencies, especially the Department of State Security to secure her freedom, and that of Leah Sharibu….
“We urge the Federal Government to expedite action toward the captives’ release…. We believe strongly that Leah Sharibu is still alive, hale and hearty and she and others must be set free from the captivity. Enough of paying lips service to the menace of security challenges in the country.
“We have been calling for a total overhauling of the security apparatus of the country; and we have also asked the developed nations to assist Nigeria in combating the challenges before the country becomes unbearable.
“(It) is no exaggeration to say Nigerian roads are unsafe as kidnappers, terrorists, killer herdsmen and bandits are operating with impunity.
“How come these six aid workers were abducted and taken to the den of the captives without the awareness of the security agencies? What has become their intelligence gathering? Are we sure there are no saboteurs among our security agencies? Is there any thing the government and the security agencies are doing to stop this menace that we don’t know to avert its negative effect as some notorious people taking law into their hands?
“We call on well-meaning people and agencies to join CAN in pleading with our government and the security agencies to wake up from their slumber before it will be too late. Our prayer is that the awesome God will come to the aid of this country. He will free all the captives and comfort all the bereaved of the killings in the country”.
The BBOG in a statement signed by Florence Ozor, Gapani Yanga and Nifemi Onifade, said it is the constitutional duty of the government to uphold the dignity of life of all Nigerians.
“#BringBackOurGirls Call On The FG To Confirm Or Deny Claim Of The Death of Leah Sharibu and Alice Loksha With A ‘Proof Of Life’ Video.
“The claim that Leah Sharibu, the sole remaining Dapchi schoolgirl of the 110 students abducted by Boko Haram on 19 February 2018, and Alice Loksha Ngaddah, an Aid Worker with UNICEF may be dead is extremely troubling.
“Grace Taku, a recently abducted aid worker with Action Against Hunger, made this claim of Leah and Alice’s death in a ‘proof of life’ video released by the insurgents on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. She stated that Leah and Alice were killed by the insurgents because of Federal Government’s inability to do something.
“We have read the statement put out by a Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, as the Government’s reaction from the presidency to this disconcerting news. We are, however, not satisfied, especially given that the statement is characterised by too many innuendos as well as lame assurances that are not backed up with any credible evidence. We, therefore, call on the President, Muhammadu Buhari, directly – as is usually done by leaders of other nations – to:
“Provide an update to the people of Nigeria on the status of Leah Sharibu and Alice Loksha Ngaddah. Are they still alive? What is the Government under his leadership doing to secure their release from terrorist enclave that has lasted over 522 and 512 days respectively? Or has the President forgotten his numerous promises to bring them back?
“Give belated justice of rescue to our 112 remaining Chibok girls who have been in captivity for 1,929 days and end the shame of his failure to keep promises made to ensure that all of them are rescued before December 31st 2015 – about four years ago.
“We remain resolute and determined to never cease demanding action for our citizens. The constitutional duty to uphold the dignity of life of all Nigerians must be performed by the Federal Government and President Muhammadu Buhari. As a citizens movement committed to keeping government accountable, we are not for turning until Leah, Alice, Grace, her five unnamed colleagues, Chibok girls, and other abducted citizens are rescued.”
