It is women’s history month, and various freedom campaigners and human rights activists are intensying calls for the release of Leah Sharibu from her abductors.
Leah was among the 110 girls abducted from the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, North East Nigeria, in February 2018.
Seven years have passed since then, and many children born around that time are now in primary school. Leah, abducted as a girl, is now in her twenties.
While many mothers are warming up to celebrate International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day, Rebecca Sharibu’s story differs. She is the mother of Leah Sharibu.
Their daughter’s continued stay in captivity after all these years is weighing down Rebecca and her husband, Nathan Sharibu.
Leah’s parents have, over and over again, cried to the Nigerian government to put in more effort to ensure the release of their daughter from her abductors.
Recently, in February 2025, during the anniversary of her seventh year in captivity, different individuals, organisations, and advocates continued to call on the Nigerian government and relevant organisations to intensify efforts to secure Leah’s release. Not just that, but also to attend to issues that led to the abduction of the girls.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) was among the groups which many media organisations carried their message of hope to the family:
“CAN stands in solidarity with her family and all who continue to bear the pain of her absence….We remain hopeful that Leah will soon return to her loved ones, and we assure her family of our unrelenting support“, a press release signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of CAN said.
Women Radio Urges Collective Action to Release Leah Sharibu
Adding their voices to this, many advocacy organisations, women of goodwill, and women-focused organisations want the government to step up its efforts to bring Leah home
Women Radio 91,7 in Southwest Nigeria, led by CEO Toun Okewale Sonaiya, is actively campaigning for the release of Leah Sharibu.
A coalition of various civil society organizations, alongside concerned citizens in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, also organized a procession in the state capital, Jos, to advocate for Leah Sharibu’s release.
This Women’s History Month, and International Women’s Day on March 8, is another opportunity for all concerned to take action to release Leah Sharibu, who has endured over seven years in captivity.