Leah Sharibu: CAN, CPJ call for suspension of political activities

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and a faith-based NGO, Catalyst for Global Peace and Justice (CPJ), have appealed to the federal government to suspend political activities in the country until the abducted Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, and over 100 Chibok girls still in Boko Haram captivity regain their freedom.

They made the call yesterday at a national prayer summit jointly organised in Abuja by the two Christian bodies to add voice to the call for the release of the abducted schoolgirls.

Speaking, CAN President, Samson Ayokunle, who was represented by former Aso Villa Chaplain, Rev Williams Okoye, observed that it was inexcusable that eight months after Leah Sharibu’s abduction, government has not been able to secure her release.

He added that Sharibu’s safety was no longer guaranteed following the recent murder of a medical worker, Saifura Ahmed, by the insurgents.

Against that backdrop, CPJ’s National Coordinator, Abraham Aiyedogbon, urged government to rise up to its constitutional duty of protecting the lives and property of its citizens.

He said, “Every campaign should be suspended until we resolve this problem. there is no independence, there is no freedom, we are all in captivity.

“What are you promising us if you couldn’t deliver on the promise to tackle insecurity, any government that cannot protect its citizens is not worth being there.”

Aiyedogbon urged security agencies to up their game and bring to book purveyors of violence, kidnappers, ritualists, insurgents and terrorists.