Leah Sharibu is alive - Presindency

The Presidency on Saturday said that the christain Dapchi Secondary
School girl who was held by Boko Haram terrorist for not renouncing her
christain faith . Leah Sharibu was still alive as reported by the
vanguard newspaper. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media
and Publicity , Mallam Garba Shehu stated that this in an interview with
a group of journalist in Abuja.

Leah Sharibu who was kidnapped in Febuary 2018 by Boko Haram, she was a
student of Government Girls Science and Technical School Dapchi in Yobe
State . Since she was kidnapped, there has been speculation that she has
been killed by her abductors.

In order to clear the air on this matter, Mallam Shehu said that Muhammed
Buhari led administration will not give up on the safe return of Leah
Sharibu.

According to him, "instead of giving up, the goverment is carrying
forward processes that should hopefully yield her release by her captors
He told reporters emphatically that much of what has been written about
the girl in the press news was false news.

He said, "lines of communication remain open with the kidnappers, ISWA to
secure the release of Leah Sharibu

"Contrary to false reports, she is alive given assurance from our
security agencies- and the governmentis committed to her safe return as
well as all other hostages to their families.

"Kidnapping for ransom should never be encouraged. This means not
capitulating to demands of terrorities, refrain from rewarding their
heinous crimes with payment.

"The abdution of loved family and friends, the government understands how
difficult these times are for them. But the government is pursuing many
options to ensure the safe return of Leah.

"We must commit to law and communication , using the breadth of
strategies at our disposal, legal initiatives, stakeholder cooperation,
the involvement of all relevant parties and the use of the lastest
hostage negotiation techniques.

"Kidnapping and ransom is rising across the sahel. We must - collectively
- make sure we implement best practice to prevent its exploitation."