Eight years after her abduction by terrorists who raided her school in Dapchi, the parents of Leah Sharibu have sent pleas to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for decisive action to secure her release.
Then aged 14 years old, Leah Sharibu was seized alongside other schoolgirls from the Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, on February 19, 2018, during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
While most of the abducted girls were later released, Leah was reportedly held back for refusing to renounce her Christian faith.
As February 19, 2026, marks eight years since her abduction, her family reports that she has endured unimaginable suffering, including being forced into marriage and giving birth multiple times while in captivity.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson for Leah’s parents and President of the LEAH Foundation, Dr. Gloria Samdi Puldu, the family described the anniversary as a painful milestone and a grim reminder of what they called the government’s failure to secure her freedom.
The statement read, “As Leah enters her ninth year in unimaginable hardship, she is reported to have endured forced marriage, multiple childbirths, and ongoing suffering.”
The foundation said its information was based on accounts from some girls who were rescued or escaped from captivity and reportedly confirmed that Leah is still alive.
The family called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to take immediate and decisive steps to locate and rescue Leah, stressing that her continued detention is not only a personal tragedy but also a matter of national conscience.
Leah’s mother, Rebecca Sharibu, was said to have endured years of emotional trauma, clinging to hope that her daughter will one day return home safely.
For eight years, the family has lived in uncertainty, holding onto fragments of reports suggesting that Leah remains alive, even as her condition in captivity is described as harsh and degrading.
The LEAH Foundation announced plans to host a virtual global prayer session to mark the eighth anniversary of her abduction.
The event, themed “From Glory to Glory, Eight Years … One Faithful God,” is expected to draw participants from across the world to pray for Leah’s release and for other women and girls still being held by terrorist groups.
According to ARISE NEWS, Peace advocate Gideon Para-Mallam also joined the renewed call, urging the Nigerian government to intensify efforts to rescue Leah and others in similar circumstances.
He stressed the need for stronger, coordinated action against ongoing killings, kidnappings and insurgent violence across the country, warning that the continued captivity of Leah Sharibu reflects deep-rooted security lapses.
The foundation further called on global leaders, international human rights organisations and faith communities to amplify advocacy efforts and maintain pressure on relevant authorities until Leah is reunited with her family.
On February 19, 2018, the Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked the Government Girls Science and Technical School in Dapchi, Yobe State, Nigeria.
They abducted 110 school girls, including Sharibu.
While 104 girls were returned to their families and five were reportedly killed, ISWAP kept Sharibu, reportedly because she refused to comply with their demands and convert to Islam.
MULTIPLE SOURCES
