Nigerian Christians demand release of Christian girl held by Boko Haram

The Congress of Northern Nigeria Christians (CNNC) yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to rescue Leah Sharibu, the only Christian girl yet to be released by Boko Haram militants after the Dapchi schoolgirls' abduction.

A spokesman for the group, Larry Yammai, said at a briefing in Kaduna that while it shared joy with the parents of the other Dapchi girls over the release of their daughters last week, there was concern for the remaining Christian girl still in captivity.

Leah Sharibu

'CNNC notes with great concern the abduction of yet another set of school girls. While we rejoice that almost all the girls have been released, we are heavily saddened that our daughter, Miss Leah Sharibu is still been held because of her faith,' the spokesman said.

'The truth is very obvious that the destruction project of Boko Haram is very much targeted at Christians. CNNC strongly condemns this evil tendency and urges president Buhari to urgently intervene for the immediate release of this young girl.'

According to the New Telegraph, Leah is being kept in custody because of her ongoing failure to renounce her Christian faith.

The spokesman said the group appreciated the efforts of the Buhari government so far, but demanded that the remaining Chibok girls and other victims be released without delay. 'It is ironical that the detained terrorists are being released in greater numbers in the name of de-radicalisation while their captives are still being held,' he said.

The Dapchi girls were the latest to be held by Boko Haram after the terrorist group separately kidnapped 276 female students from the Government Secondary School in the town of Chibok in Borno State, in April 2014, with some being released, most recently in January this year.