Leah Sharibu: Nobody should be forced to change religion ― Buhari

On the second anniversary of the abduction of school girls by Boko Haram insurgents in Dapchi, Yobe State, President Muhammadu Buhari has affirmed that nobody has the right to force another to change his faith.

In a statement personally issued by him, on Tuesday in Abuja, the president affirmed that his administration would continue to seek and secure the release of all children and captives of terrorists.

He said: “Two years ago, 110 innocent children from the town of Dapchi were taken, against their will, by the terrorists of Boko Haram. 107 survived the ordeal. Today all but one – Leah Sharibu – are returned to their families.

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“Now aged 16, Leah remains in the hands of the terrorists – they say because she refuses to renounce her Christian faith.

“We say, as the government for and of all Nigerians, that no person has the right to force another to change their faith against their will and that all life is sacred.

“This government continues and seeks to secure the release of all children and captives of terrorists – and we do so regardless of their creed or the name of their creator.

“As we as redouble our efforts for Leah’s return, we can never allow the terrorists to divide us – Christian against Muslim, Muslim against Christian. We are all Sons of Abraham. And all Nigerians have the same worth and rights before the law, and before God.”

Recall that on February 19, 2018, 110 schoolgirls aged 11–19 years old were kidnapped by the Boko Haram terrorist group from the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College. Dapchi located in Bulabulin, Yunusari Local Government area of Yobe State.

All of them were later released except Leah who has remained in their captivity till this day.