05/18/2020 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – Last Thursday, May 14, was Leah Sharibu’s 17th Birthday. Leah is the lone remaining schoolgirl in captivity from the town of Dapchi, where more than 100 girls were taken from the Government Girls Science and Technical School by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) faction of Boko Haram. Since that time, several rumors have arisen of Leah being killed, being married to a Boko Haram Fighter and giving birth to a child. None of these rumors have yet been confirmed, though she is confirmed still alive.
Leah was taken when she was just 14 years old, and has spent the past three birthdays with her abductors. She has not been allowed any access to family or friends. She has likely been forced to learn Islamic rules and Arabic as the groups tries to force her to change to their beliefs. They have also likely used physical torment and mental attacks to try and break her faith in Christ. These kinds of tactics, to include beatings, brainwashing, drugging and sexual abuse have been commonly reported from women who have escaped Boko Haram captivity.
Leah’s mother, Rebecca Sharibu, recently told the Guardian that she was even willing to accept Leah’s husband as an inlaw if it would mean that she would be freed. The family has been asking the Nigerian government and even the British government for aid in securing the release of their daughter. Despite promises from the Nigerian government that they are doing all in their power, there has been no information released on if Leah will ever be released. This is especially discouraging as the government was able to secure the release of 104 other girls within a month of their capture. All of those girls were Muslim though. This has led some to claim that the Nigerian government does not care about Leah. Please pray for Leah to remain strong in her faith and that she would be able to return to her family at some point in the future.
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
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May 18, 2020 at 09:14PM
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Leah Sharibu Turned 17 in Boko Haram Captivity | Persecution - International Christian Concern
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