One year in captivity: Rev Para-Mallam blasts Nigerian leaders for abandoning Leah Sharibu

As Leah Sharibu clocks one year under the captivity of Boko Haram, Reverend Gideon Para-Mallam of the Citizens Monitoring Group (CMG), which works with Muslims and Christians in Nigeria, has described as “tragic and a political miscalculation” for the Presidential candidates in the country to dodge talking publicly about their respective commitment to free Leah and others in captivity.

He said their uneasy silence on the plight of Leah and other captives shows how the nation’s political class is “careless” about the people they seek to govern.

Para-Mallam, who is the founder of (CMG), in an exclusive interview with DAILYPOST in Jos, the Plateau State Capital, said, “Never did I imagine that the heroine of the Christian faith in the 21st century- 15-year Old Leah Sharibu, would still be in captivity, completing 365 full days on February, 19 2019, making it one year. It’s unbelievable but a reality we are accepting and coping with. Not easy!

“I can imagine if some of us feel this way, what her parents must be feeling right now. I want to restate over and over again that; Leah Sharibu and others in captivity will never be forsaken and forgotten”, he maintained.

According to him, “Leah is today a living history before our very eyes in this day and age. Who could have thought that an icon of the Christian Faith in the 21st Century – a symbol of faith resilience would emerge from North Eastern Nigeria?” He asked.

“Even more intriguing from the geo-political space identified as the epicenter of Boko Haram insurgency? Yet God allowed it!

The Clergy said, “God is making a powerful statement through the captivity and courage of Leah Sharibu. Christianity can never be destroyed by Boko Haram or any force on earth; spiritual or physical, temporal (short-term) or long-term.

“It is tragic and a political miscalculation for the Presidential candidates to dodge talking publicly about their respective commitment to free Leah and others in captivity.

“Their uneasy silence on the plight of Leah Sharibu and others shows how Nigerian politicians careless about the citizens they seek to govern.

He, however, said they can still redeem themselves by issuing public statements.

“The postponement of the first part of the election should be seen as a period of grace for them to act on this matter”, he said.

“But one may not be too hard on them. Is it any wonder that they could all be clueless?

“That to me is the tragic reality staring them and us as a nation in the face.

“We appear to live and lead in a country that suggests we have lost control.

“Therefore, Leah’s case has become a matter of conscience for our leaders, both those in office and those seeking to enter office”, he admonished.

“My prayer remains that God will not only free Leah but through her, others such as Alice Ngaddah and several unknown captives; Muslims and Christians alike, that they all will regain their freedom.

“My appeal and question to Boko Haram is; Where is your humanity? He asked.

“Imagine if Leah were your daughter, would you like what you are doing to her? Against her will and consent? God never forces any one to convert!