Five years ago, on February 19, 2018, Leah Sharibu was kidnapped along with 110 other schoolgirls from Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, by Boko Haram terrorists.
While most of the girls were eventually released, Leah remains in captivity till date, reportedly because of her refusal to renounce her Christian faith.
This newspaper marks the fifth anniversary of this young girl whose life expectations were truncated mid trajectory. Her fate, deeply saddening as it is, reminds the rest of the nation that we have her plight on our conscience for as long as she remains in captivity.
It is also a reminder of the ongoing threats faced by children and young people in Nigeria, particularly in the North east, where Boko Haram and other extremist groups continue to operate with brazen effrontery.
Leah’s case has continued to receive widespread attention both within Nigeria and internationally. Her courage and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity have inspired many people, and the adversity confronting her has become a symbol of the ongoing struggle against terrorism and extremism in Nigeria. Despite this, however, the federal government has thus far been unable to secure her release after countless assurances.
In the considered opinion of this newspaper, this is unacceptable. It is pertinent to note that apart from Leah, some of Chibok girls kidnapped on April 14,2014 are still in captivity. As of April 14, 2021, seven years after they were kidnapped, over 100 of the girls remain missing.
Similarly, some female students of Federal Government College (FGC), Birnin Yauri in Kebbi state, who were abducted in June 2021 are still in captivity. In October 2021, the Kebbi state government said 27 students and three teachers abducted by the bandits had regained their freedom. In January 2022, the government said 30 students and a teacher were also freed. According to reports, 11 girls are still with the bandits.
It is trite to say, in our opinion, that the federal government has a responsibility to protect all its citizens and, particularly, vulnerable groups such as children and young people. The failure to secure Leah’s release, is a failure of that responsibility.
While the government has made some efforts towards Leah’s release, it is clear that those efforts, though commendable, have not been sufficient to achieve the desired goal of effecting her freedom. Reports suggest that negotiations with Boko Haram have stalled, and that Leah’s captors have been unwilling to release her despite promises to do so.
We strongly aver that it is time the federal government and its security agencies took decisive action to secure Leah’s release. This should include a renewed effort to negotiate with Boko Haram, as well as increase efforts to locate and rescue Leah by force if necessary.
At the same time, the government must take steps to address the root causes of the ongoing conflict in the North east. We are, however, impressed with the activities of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) so far in this direction.
That agency of government is devoting enormous resources in the study of violent extremism. Already, it has incentivized the University of Maiduguri through the provision of an office, research centre and the take off fund needed for the assignment. It must be noted that the institution, its staff and students were at the epicentre of violent extremism, the type that was unprecedented in the annals of violence not just in that geopolitical zone but also in the country at large.
We, therefore, commend the commission for having the intellectual foresight to get to the root of what actually drives a violent extremist so as to be able to solve the problem from its foundation. It is also our hope that when the report is ready, the government will have the political will to implement its recommendations
Only by addressing the fundamental issues likely to be exposed in the report will the nation hope to create a more stable and peaceful society in which all Nigerians can live in safety and security.
It is also important that the international community continues to support efforts to secure Leah’s release. This should include diplomatic pressure on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to do more to bring this about, as well as providing financial and logistical support for efforts to locate and rescue her.
At the same time, the international community must also recognise the broader challenges facing Nigeria and the wider West African region. This includes the threat of terrorism and extremism, as well as the need for sustainable economic development and greater respect for human rights.
Consequently, on this fifth anniversary of Leah’s capture, we call on the federal government to redouble its efforts to secure her release. We must not forget Leah and the many other victims of terrorism and extremism in Nigeria. Their suffering is a reminder of the urgent need for all of us to work together to create a just, peaceful, and secure world.
