I won’t abandon Dapchi girl in captivity - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said he was committed to the freedom of the only Dapchi schoolgirl still in captivity as he was to the girls’ freedom when all 110 of them were in the captivity of Boko Haram terrorists.


The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists.

Shehu said the Buhari administration would not relent in 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.

The statement read, “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 own daughter is still away. The lone Dapchi Girl, Leah, will not be abandoned.”

The President assured 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.