Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Nathaniel Sharibu, father of abducted Dapchi school girl Leah Sharibu, has appealed to the media to put pressure on the Federal Government to ensure the release of his daughter.
Sharibu was making the appeal on Political Platform, a programme on RayPower 100.5 FM, via telephone interview to mark his daughter’s birthday, who turns 15 on Tuesday, May 15.
Leah is the only one of the 110 schoolgirls kidnapped in Dapchi, Yobe State on February 19, still held captive by terror group Boko Haram.
The Federal Government had two months ago negotiated the release of 105 abducted girls from the Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi after their school was attacked by the Boko Haram.
Leah was held back for refusing to renounce her Christian faith.
Four of the abducted girls were said to have died at the hands of their captors.
Nathaniel Sharibu said the family was sad that Leah will be absent on her 15th birthday.
“…the family is very, very sad about her absence,” Nathaniel said in the interview.
Asked if he has received any support from government or his colleagues, he said: “From the government I am not receiving anything, it is only the church that has been coming to pray for me. They have been encouraging me through their prayers and advising me.”
Asked to confirm if no meeting had been held with any federal, state or local government official, Sharibu said: “No. I have not heard anything from state, local and federal government. I’m even confused now.”
When the presenter wished Leah a Happy Birthday, assuring Nathaniel that they were praying for her safe return, the father responded, “Amen. I need your assistance. I need you to put pressure on the government to do something about it and ensure the release of my daughter.”