Stop playing politics with people’s lives, Bishop Usuanlele charges FG

Prelate, United Baptist Mission in Nigeria, Right Reverend Osama Usuanlele, has admonished the Federal Government against playing politics with the lives of Nigerians.

He stated this in his reaction to the continuous holding back of one of the kidnapped Dapchi girls, Leah Sharibu, by Boko Haram, over her refusal to renounce her Christian faith.

He said: “Leah is a victim of circumstance. She has been singled out to give credence to their plot in the political chess game currently going on in the country. Nigerians are too smart to be hoodwinked or fooled by the desperate antics of those in the corridors of power who want to remain there at all costs.

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“The entire kidnap saga is beginning to appear as a hoax in the first place, in that there are questions begging for answers. If the girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram, then, to what purpose was it. Nigerians were told that the Dapchi girls were released without conditions, which means no ransom was paid; to what purpose therefore was this gesture.

“If Boko Haram exponents have suddenly come to fear God and respect the sanctity of human life and the value of freedom, why are the Chibok girls still in their custody? What makes the Dapchi girls different from the Chibok girls? I think the whole gimmick is all to score some cheap political points. Nigerians are too enlightened and intelligent for all these hogwash.

“Be that as it may, whether Miss Leah Sharibu was held back to make it look real or not, we commend the courage reportedly exhibited by her. In the face of death and seething fear, she has demonstrated uncommon faith. The church is united in prayer for her safe return to her family and school. Government should stop playing politics with the lives of Nigerians.”