Christian and Muslim leaders from Northern Nigeria have jointly appealed to Boko Haram insurgents to release Leah Sharibu as well as other schoolgirls in their captivity.
Making his appeal to the terrorist during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the chairman of the Northern chapter of the the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Yakubu Pam said the abduction has caused untold hardships on the families of the victims.
“We find it very important to address this boiling issue that has been disturbing the peace of this country; the issue of the adoption of some of our innocent teenage girls, particularly Leah Sharibu and others.
We have heard what the adopters have said. We are here together as religious leaders and traditional rulers to appeal to the conscience of the adopters of these innocent girls.
Teenager Cries for Justice after suffering Sexual Assault twice in Two years
The mothers and families have cried for their release. Citizens of Nigeria have also cried out. We are also appealing to them (the terrorists) to please for the sake of God, release these girls,” the reverend said.
Pam also added that the release of the teenage girls by Boko Haram will make both the parents and Nigerians happy.
The Imam of Apo legislative quarters mosque, Sheik Mohammed Khalid also added his voice to that of Pastot Yakubu saying it was a thing of worry that Leah Sharibu was being held by boko haram because of her faith as he described the situation as an unfortunate one.
“We are appealing to them to release those in their captivity especially, Leah Sharibu, We are worried about her in particular because she was abducted with other children, but why should she be left behind, that’s our problem,” he said.
This appeal comes less than five days to the deadline issued by Boko haram for the execution of Leah Sharibu as well as two other Red Cross personnel kidnapped by the insurgents during a raid on an IDP camp.