– She will be freed, Presidency assures, probes audio
Leah Sharibu, the Christian schoolgirl abducted along with others from the Government Girls Secondary School, Dapchi in Yobe State by Boko Haram terrorists, has cried out to President Muhammadu Buhari to help get her out of captivity.
Her plea was contained in a 35 seconds audio uploaded by The Cable, an online newspaper on Monday.
She was heard saying: “I am Leah Sharibu, the girl that was abducted in GGSS Dapchi. I am calling on the government and people of goodwill to intervene to get me out of my current situation.
“I also plead to the members of the public to help my mother, my father, my younger brother and relatives. Kindly help me out of my predicament. I am begging you to treat me with compassion, I am calling on the government, particularly, the President to pity me and get me out of this serious situation. Thank you.”
However, the Presidency said the Department of State Services was probing an audio which was released and was purported to be the voice of Leah Sharibu, who is still in captivity.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a message he posted on his Twitter handle, @GarShehu.
Shehu said government’s official reaction would be released at the end of the investigation.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to the release of all those in captivity and would not rest until the feat was achieved.
The presidential spokesman wrote: “We are aware of the audio in circulation concerning the unfortunate situation of our daughter, Leah Sharibu.
“In dealing with terrorists, nothing is too trivial.
“The secret service is analysing the voice. Our reaction will follow the outcome of the investigation.
“For President Buhari, nothing will be spared in bringing all our girls home.
“He will not rest until all of them are freed.”
Meanwhile, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, says only the Lord knows when the remaining Dapchi schoolgirl in captivity Leah Sharibu will be freed.
He said this on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television‘s breakfast show Sunrise Daily.
Although he believes that, ultimately, her return is up to the Most High, Adesina said the Federal Government is working hard to ensure she is rescued.
“When will she be back? That question can only be answered by God, but I believe that God is interested in that young girl,” he said.
“The Government is working on and at it, and we believe she will be back”.
His comments are in reaction to an audio recording of Leah obtained exclusively and published by online news organisation TheCable on Monday.
READ ALSO: ‘Pity Me’, Leah Sharibu Cries Out From Captivity
In the recording, the 15-year-old called on President Muhammadu Buhari to help her regain freedom. She also sought help from her family.
Adesina explained that her plea won’t be in vain.
“Early in the life of this administration, the President said that whatever it will take to bring back the Chibok girls back he will do including paying.
“The President is on record for having said that,” Adesina said.
He, however, dismissed claims that Boko Haram was paid for the release of the Dapchi girls.
“For the release of Dapchi girls, there were no payments made,” he said.
Leah, one of the over 100 schoolgirls abducted in February from the Government Girls Secondary School, Dapchi in Yobe State, was kept in captivity by the terrorists reportedly for refusing to renounce Christianity.
She was the only Christian among the girls.
Punch/Channels TV
