The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ondo State chapter has described as “painful” the failure of the Boko Haram terror sect to return Liya Sharibu, the only Christian among the 110 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State on February 19.
The Islamist terror sect had returned 106 of the girls on Wednesday morning, without Sharibu.
In a Thursday statement, the State Chairman of the body, Rev Ayo Oladapo, also described as “worrisome” the purported silence of the presidency on the matter.
The statement read, “It is painful to note that Liya Sharibu the only girl that still remains with the Boko Haram is said to be the only lady that refused to renounce her Christian faith.
“With this development, It is clear that the battle is against Christianity. Information has it that the Boko Haram people came into Dapchi town majestically to return the girls.
“They claim that they were not aware that the girls were Muslims, hence, they need to return them because they are Muslims. When did it become a crime for a person to become a Christian in Nigeria?
“According to the girls, they were release because they were Muslims. Is it a crime to become a Christian in Nigeria? President Buhari should tell the whole world.”
The body urged Vice President Yemi Osinbajo not to keep quiet as a leading Christian in government, and urged Nigerians to mobilise to pray for Sharibu’s safe return.
“It is painful that the government, civil society organization, human right activist kept mute on the only Christian girl that is still held captive.
“We, therefore, demand that the President Muhammad Buhari and all his security outfits should without delay facilitate the immediate release of Layi Sharibu.
“It is becoming clearer that president Buhari’s administration is out to crush Christianity to nothing in this nation, if he is keeping quiet on the only girl in captivity because of her faith in Christ Jesus.
“No wonder, President Buhari is not doing much as expected of him to stop the killings of people in the Christian community by the herdsmen.
“Pastor Professor Yemi Oshibanjo should not keep quiet as a Christian at this time, we encourage all Churches to please mobilize prayer for the release of Liya Sharibu to rejoin with the parents unharmed. We equally call on the international community to assist in the release of the Christian girl,” the statement added.