Senate has called on the FG to hasten action for the release of Leah Sharibu. She remains the only student from Dapchi who is in captivity of insurgents.
Senator Sani had taken the floor through a point of order, citing Order 43 of the Senate Standing Orders 2015, to draw the attention of the Senate to the plight of the abducted girl.
He told the Senate that the Federal Government needed to ensure the girl is rescued by whatever means possible.
Though governments at both the Federal and State levels promised Leah Sharibu’s parents that her release from captivity would be ensured, she has remained in captivity since February last year.
”Fourteen months of Leah Sharibu in the captivity of Boko Haram insurgents and five years of the yet to be released Chibok girls. It calls for national concern and urgent need by relevant authorities to do all within their powers in getting them released. What perhaps may be the most important strategy to be adopted in getting Leah out of captivity, is the option of dialogue with their abductors. It has worked in so many other places where similar abductions took place like Afghanistan , Pakistan etc, terrorised by the Talibans. Though government cannot be said not to have taken actions in getting Leah and others released. There is need for it to redouble and expedite actions in that direction for parents and relatives of the abductees be freed from psychological trauma. And for the abductees to know that they have a country that cares for them. ”
There was no debate on the motion since the Senator came under an order for self-explanation.
But the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki in his remarks said all efforts must be made by the Federal Government to secure the release of Leah and others.