The mother of Leah Sharibu, Rebecca Sharibu, fell sick on Christmas Day and was hospitalised, The PUNCH learnt on Thursday.
Recall that Leah had been abducted since February 19, 2018.
She was one of the 110 female students of the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, who were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists.
While others were released by the terrorists following negotiations, Leah, then 14 years, was held captive because she refused to renounce her Christian faith.
Our correspondent was told that the mother also fell ill during the 2018 and 2019 Christmas celebrations as the insurgents continue to keep her daughter in captivity for close to three years.
The spokesperson for the family and President of Leadership Empowerment Advocacy and Humanitarian – LEAH Foundation, Dr Gloria Puldu, in an interview, said Leah had spent her third Christmas in captivity.
Puldu, a senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Jos, said, “I tend to believe Leah is being held because of her religion which she refused to renounce. That is why she was left behind in captivity, other Muslim girls got released.
“Leah has spent another Christmas in captivity, making it her third in captivity. Her mother, Rebecca Sharibu was admitted to hospital for observation because she waqs very sick again during the year 2020 Christmas just like the two previous Christmas celebrations.
“The Nigerian government needs to fulfil its promise and rescue Leah. President Muhammadu Buhari has no excuse for not ensuring her release since his government was able to rescue Kankara boys within six days of their abduction.”
