I’ll bring Leah Sharibu back, Buhari assures mother

President Muhammadu Buhari, has assured Mrs. Rebecca Sharibu, mother of the Dapchi Secondary schoolgirl, Leah, still in Boko Haram captivity, that his administration will do everything to bring her daughter back home.

Buhari gave the assurance in a telephone conversation with Rebecca, yesterday.

Last week, she, alongside others, sued the Federal Government for N500 million, for failing to secure Leah’s release.

READ ALSO: I just want my daughter back alive, not money

Leah was among the 119 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Dapchi, Yobe State, abducted by Boko Haram in February.

All the abducted girls were subsequently released, except five, who reportedly died in detention.

Leah was held back by the insurgent group for “refusing to renounce her faith”.

In the suit filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Rebecca sought N500 million damages over government’s “dereliction of duties.”

Joined as defendants in the suit are Ibrahim Idris, Inspector-General of police, and Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation.

President Buhari, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, consoled the Sharibu family and assured the parents that government would do its utmost for the safety and security of their daughter.

READ ALSO: Women club in Ibadan protest continuous Leah’s captivity by Boko-Haram

“I convey my emotion, the strong commitment of my administration and the solidarity of all Nigerians to you and your family as we will do our best to bring your daughter home in peace and safety,” Buhari told Mrs Sharibu.

He assured the mother that his heart was with her family, as that of the entire nation which continues to pray for the safe return of “our daughter, Leah.”

The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram, has kept Leah in captivity for seven months, sparking public outrage.

In August, an audio of Sharibu appealing to President Buhari to rescue her.

In September, the extremist group released a video of the killing of a 25-year-old midwife with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa.

Khorsa was abducted on March 1, during an attack on the northeastern town of Rann, near the Cameroun border. In the same video, an alleged spokesperson for the group also threatened Leah Sharibu’s life.

The insurgents claimed they had contacted the government for ransom over the captives with no response.

READ ALSO: Aftermath of ultimatum: Pay my daughter’s abductors, Leah Sharibu’s father begs FG

“We contacted the government through writing and also sent audio messages, but the government have ignored us.

“So, here is a message of blood.

“The other nurse and midwife will be executed in similar manner in one month, including Leah Sharibu,” the group’s spokesman said.