Zainab Aliyu Release: CAN Rejoice, Express Concerns Over Continued Detention Of Leah Sharibu, Others By Boko Haram

Leah Sharibu and Zainab Aliyu

Even as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) celebrates the release of Zainab Aliyu who was wrongly detained on drug related offence in Saudi Arabia, CAN has questioned the Federal Government if life of some Nigerian citizens are more important than others, for Leah Sharibu to have been abandoned with her captors Boko Haram.

Leah Sharibu has been in captivity for more than a year after her fellow students who were abducted by Boko Haram from their school in Dapchi, Borno State were released. While Federal Government secured the release of about 190 of the school girls, Leah Sharibu was held back by Boko Haram because she refused to renounce her religion, Christianity.

But in a statement released by the public relations officer of the Northern States chapter of CAN, Rev. Joseph Hayab, the Christian body expressed concerns over the continued detention of Leah Sharibu.

Reverend Hayab in the statement, said he is forced to ask if some Nigerians are more important than others since the Federal government was fast in ensuring the safe return of Zainab.

The statement in part reads: “CAN Northern states rejoices with the parents of Zainab Aliyu and the government of our country for securing her release after she was arrested and detained in Saudi Arabia for allegations of drug trafficking.

“It is sad that many innocent Nigerians are suffering for a crime they know nothing about. This prompt effort by government is commendable and should be sustained for all and in the future, because this is what we want to see from our leaders in this country.

“But as we rejoice about this development, we are also compelled to ask this important question: Are all Nigerians equal or some are more equal than others?

“We are aware that many innocent citizens of our country have been arrested, some killed and others are still in detention; but we have not heard any directives from Mr. President to his Attorney General to take action about them with this kind of urgency.

“If we want our citizens to be proud of their government and country, then we need to show equal concern about what happens to everyone in this country.

“We cannot also celebrate the release of Zainab and forget Leah Sharibu who did not commit any crime but has been in captivity for over a year now.

We, therefore, appeal to President Buhari to direct his security agencies to double their efforts and get Leah released and reunited with her parents. Leah, too, wants to enjoy the protection of her leaders”.