Sadness as Christian Schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, Marks 7 Years in Boko Haram Captivity on Her 22nd Birthday
"Leah Sharibu's Mother Sorrows as Her Daughter Remains Seventeen in Boko Haram Custody - Celebrating a Birthday in Captivity"
Leah Sharibu's mother, Rebecca, has expressed her sorrow marking her daughter's 22nd birthday, which also marks the seventh year the teenager has been held captive by Boko Haram.
In 2018, Leah was one of the 110 students abducted from the Government Girls' Science and Technical College in Dapchi, Yobe State. Although the majority of the girls were released, Leah was denied freedom due to her refusal to renounce her Christian faith.
A video shared on Thursday, via Open Doors UK's social media platform, shows Rebecca expressing her sadness over the prolonged separation from her daughter. She described the pain of her continued absence as deeply distressing, remarking that her faith remained strong that God would bring Leah home soon.
Rebecca called upon all who believe in justice and in the power of prayer to remember not only her daughter but others who remain in captivity due to their religious beliefs.
In other news, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has blamed President Bola Tinubu's government for the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in the North East of the country. Just last week, Boko Haram invaded some military bases in Borno State, resulting in the death of some soldiers and the theft of arms and ammunition.
Speaking to a delegation of stakeholders from the Kogi East Senatorial Zone, led by former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Simon Asuba, Atiku accused the current administration of lacking political will to effectively combat the terrorist group. He stated that Boko Haram started in Yobe State in 2002, tracing its history back to former President Olusegun Obasanjo's office.
History of Boko Haram
Founded in 2002 by Mohammed Yusuf in Maiduguri, Nigeria, Boko Haram initially opposed Western education, viewing it as corrupting Nigerian society. Their name roughly translates to "books are forbidden" in Hausa.
The insurgency began in July 2009 when the group launched an armed rebellion against the Nigerian government. Following Mohammed Yusuf's death, the group fractured into autonomous factions, with Abubakar Shekau becoming the de facto leader. The conflict spread to neighboring countries like Cameroon, Chad, Mali, and Niger.
In 2014, Boko Haram's violence escalated dramatically, seizing large areas in northeastern Nigeria. By aligning with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and renaming themselves the "Islamic State's West Africa Province" (ISWAP) in 2015, Boko Haram extended their reach and influence. As of today, the group continues to be active in the region, although their influence has waxed and waned over time due to internal conflicts and military pressures.
Leah Sharibu's Captivity Timeline
Leah Sharibu was abducted by Boko Haram alongside 109 other students in February 2018. In March of that year, Boko Haram released 104 of the abducted girls, leaving Leah and a few others behind. Her continued captivity stems from her refusal to convert to Islam.
Since 2019, there have been reports and rumors of Leah's status, but no confirmation of her release. Advocates continue to push for her freedom, while the Nigerian government struggles to secure her release.
[1] Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boko_Haram[4] Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34811117
- In a heartbreaking turn of events, Leah Sharibu's mother, Rebecca, has expressed sorrow on her daughter's 22nd birthday, marking seven years of Leah's captivity at the hands of Boko Haram.
- Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has laid the blame for the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in the North East of Nigeria at the feet of the current administration, citing a lack of political will to effectively combat the terrorist group.
- The captivating story of Leah Sharibu, a Christian schoolgirl held captive by Boko Haram for seven years, unfolded from her abduction in 2018 at the Government Girls' Science and Technical College in Dapchi, Yobe State.
- Tracing its roots back to 2002 when it was founded by Mohammed Yusuf in Maiduguri, Nigeria, Boko Haram, meaning 'books are forbidden' in Hausa, initially opposed Western education and has since grown into an insurgent group known for its violence and threats to national security across Nigeria and neighboring countries.
- The PDP's Atiku Abubakar, in a discourse with stakeholders from Kogi East Senatorial Zone, accused the current APC government, led by President Bola Tinubu, of having a weak stance in combating Boko Haram, suggesting that the group's presence can be traced back to the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
