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Religious leaders beg Boko Haram, FG for Leah Sharibu’s release

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Religious leaders beg Boko Haram, FG for Leah Sharibu's release

Religious leaders in the country have joined their voices to the call for the immediate release of abducted school girl, Leah Sharibu.

Speaking on behalf of the religious leaders on Friday were the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Northern Nigeria, Reverend Yakubu Pam and the Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters, Sheikh Mohmamed Khalid.

Rev. Pam and Sheikh Khalid made appeals for Miss Sharibu’s release at a joint press conference on the sidelines of the Interfaith Conference in Abuja on Friday.

“We are here today, the two major religions in Nigeria, Christianity and Islam. The leaders are here and traditional rulers are also here to discuss about peace ahead of the 2019 general elections and we also find it very important today to address a burning issue that has been disturbing the peace of the country and that is the issue of the abduction of some of our innocent teenagers and young ladies, particularly Leah Sharibu and others and we have heard what the abductors have said.

“We are here as religious leaders and traditional rulers to appeal to the conscience of the abductors of these innocent girls. I know too the mothers have also cried, the families have cried to the abductors of these innocent girls and well-meaning citizens of Nigeria have also cried. We want to appeal to them, please for the sake of God, let them release these innocent girls. They are very innocent and I believe that by doing this Nigeria will appreciate,” Reverend Pam said.

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Continuing, the cleric said: ‘‘We are aware that the President has made a call to Leah’s mother and also heard about threats from abductors, that is why we find it necessary to make a conscience call to abductors, adding our voice to other peace loving Nigerians saying let this girl and other innocent girls be released.

‘‘My concern for Leah is that they were abducted together the same day, some other were released, and it happened that this one was not released. The enemies of this country will paint the issue into religion, that is why leaders of all religions came out this morning to say, we want Leah Sharibu out so that the world will know that religion will never be used to break us. Assuming she was released with others, we would not be here. It is important that she is released because it is disturbing the peace of the country.’’

Rev Pam further called on the abductors of Miss Sharibu to abandon their threat of executing the girl in order the save her family from the agony of losing a child in such a violent circumstance.

“We heard they said next week is their deadline and that is why in this meeting as we are discussing about the peace of this country, we felt that it is very important and very paramount to talk about this matter. The mother is in agony, the family is in agony and we are appealing to their conscience. Whatever it is, let them be lenient and also allow God to speak to their heart,” he stated.

Rev. Pam also called on the government to do whatever it can within its powers to ensure Miss Sharibu is safely released and reunited with her family.

Speaking in the same vein, the Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters, Sheikh Khalid said the abductors of Miss Sharibu are on their own and they do not represent Islam.

“We are here to speak on behalf of the bodies of the two main religions, Islam and Christianity. We want the world to understand that these people that are holding our children and other people in captivity are not representing anything, they are on their own. Islam is not asking them to abduct anybody and we the Muslims are going to join hands with anybody to do anything possible to secure Nigerians from their agony.’’

According to Sheikh Khalid, the abductors of Miss Sharibu have no basis to hold her captive since her colleagues whom they were abducted together were released.

He appealed to the Federal Government to do whatever is necessary and secure the release of Miss Sharibu.

“We are appealing to the government to do anything possible to make sure that no Nigerian is in captivity. Government have not done enough to secure the release of the girls, that is why we are insisting that no Nigerian should be in captivity or abducted, we want peace in Nigeria and we want government to ensure the security of every Nigeria, especially the girls child.

‘‘My message to Boko Haram is to fear Almighty Allah and release those in their captivity and also, let them embrace peace by coming to round table with government and discuss what they want and how do they want the government to do. And let them give conditions that are realistic. We are appealing to them to rethink and revisit their minds so that they will release their captives, especially somebody like Leah Sharibu,” Sheikh Khalid said.

On the fight against insurgency, the Sheik said: ‘‘The security agencies claim they are doing their best to end insurgency, but unfortunately for us, their best is not enough. The young soldiers are crying for their welfare, their needs should be catered for so that they can serve their fatherland with full commitment.’’

 

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