The Yobe State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has held solidarity walk to mark the second anniversary of the abduction of Leah Sharibu, a student of the Government Science Technical College, Dapchi, currently in the captivity of the Boko Haram terrorists.
Leah was abductor alongside her school mates on February 19, 2018.
The school mates, mostly Muslims, were freed weeks on March 21 while Leah was held back by the terrorists for refusing to deny Jesus Christ and convert to Islam.
Recently, the media reported that Leah had been impregnated by a Boko Haram commander and was carrying a baby.
Leah’s parents who are from the neighbouring Adamawa State and other Nigerians have repeatedly asked the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Nigerian government to ensure her release.
Many Christians converged on ECWA Church, Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, to hold special prayers for the release of the young school girl.
Leaders of CAN in the state also staged a peaceful procession from the ECWA Church to St. Mary’s Catholic Church with protesters holding placards.
Some of the placards bore inscriptions such as “Dark Birthday for Leah Sharibu; Every life is precious to God; Stop the violence; the duty of govt is security of lives and properties.”
The protesters also sent a message of hope to Leah and all those in captivity, including Muslims.
They also prayed for the repose of the soul of Lawan Andimi, the CAN Chairman in Michika, Adamawa State, and others who were killed by Boko Haram and ISWAP.
In a sermon, Yobe State chairman of CAN, Philibus Yakubu, urged Christians not to be discouraged, saying “They will fight against you but they will not overcome you, for I am with you. Yahweh declares to rescue you.”
Yakubu, who took his text from Jeremiah 1:19, lamented the “high level of social violence such as political violence, inequality, injustice, banditry, ethno-religious strife, kidnapping, armed robbery, herder/farmers clashes, militancy, the inhuman and dreaded activities of Boko Haram.”
He also lamented the level of corruption, poverty, strikes, or health services, poor educational system and other vices in Nigeria.
Yakubu asked the federal government to prioritise security just as he urged Nigerians to support the government.
The CAN leader however commended security agencies for the sacrifices they had been making to bring peace to the troubled regions of the country.