By Chesa Chesa
President Muhammadu Buhari says he is committed to securing the freedom of Miss Leah Sharibu, the only Dapchi schoolgirl still held by Boko Haram terrorists.
The insurgents abducted 110 girls of a Government Girls Science Secondary School in Dapchi, Yobe State, about a month ago and returned 105 of them last Wednesday, with reports filtering out that four of the girls died while Sharibu, a Christian is still being held captive because she refused to be converted to Islam.
In a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, on Thursday, he said that Buhari was determined to ensure Sharibu’s freedom.
Shehu said that the President was mindful of his responsibility to allow religious freedom in the country, adding that true followers of Islam known that there is no compulsion in the religion
The statement said: “The Buhari administration will not relent in its efforts to bring Leah Sharibu safely back home to her parents as it has done for the other girls after she was held back by the terrorists over her decision, as reported, not to convert from Christianity to Islam.
“President Buhari is fully conscious of his duty under the constitution to protect all Nigerians, irrespective of faith, ethnic background or geopolitical location and will not shirk in this responsibility.
“The President is equally mindful of the fact that true followers of Islam all over the world respect the injunction that there is no compulsion in religion. To this effect, no one or group can impose its religion on another.
“His heart goes out to the isolated parents who must watch others rejoice while their daughter is still away. The lone Dapchi girl, Leah, will not be abandoned.
“President Buhari assures the Sharibu family that he will continue to do all he can to ensure that they also have cause to rejoice with their daughter soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, Buhari on Thursday in Gusau, Zamfara State, directed security agencies to improve their strategies of intelligence gathering, surveillance and accuracy in deployments, and ensure that criminal activities are brought to an end across the country.
Accompanied by Governor Abdula��aziz Yari, during an interactive meeting with political leaders, traditional rulers, elders and victims of criminal attacks in Zamfara State, the President assured all security agencies of improved conditions that will facilitate apprehending criminals who steal, maim and kill innocent Nigerians.
Ia��ll rescue Christian Dapchi girl, Buhari vows
