The Leah Sharibu Foundation has described the continued captivity of Leah Sharibu, who marks her 22nd birthday today while still held by terrorists, as a “national tragedy” and a “blot on Nigeria’s conscience.”
Speaking at a press conference in Jos on Wednesday, the Foundation’s President, Dr. Gloria Puldu, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigeria’s security agencies to intensify efforts toward Sharibu’s release, seven years after she was abducted by Boko Haram from her school in Dapchi, Yobe State.
“This year marks seven years in captivity and another birthday spent away from her family,” Dr. Puldu lamented. “Leah was only 14 when she was taken alongside over 100 schoolgirls. While most of them were released, Leah was reportedly held back for refusing to renounce her Christian faith.”
The Foundation emphasized that Sharibu’s prolonged detention is not only a personal tragedy but also a symbol of Nigeria’s broader insecurity challenges. “Her courage has inspired millions globally, yet her continued captivity reminds us of the many unresolved cases of kidnappings across the country,” Puldu stated.
She called on the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and intelligence agencies to prioritize Sharibu’s case in ongoing security operations. Additionally, she urged the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services to provide psychological support to Leah’s family, noting that they have been largely neglected.
The Foundation also appealed to the international community, religious leaders, civil society, and the media to sustain advocacy and public pressure for Sharibu’s release and to amplify the plight of other victims still held by insurgents.
“As Nigerian citizens, especially as women, we appeal passionately to the Federal Government: let this be Leah’s last birthday in captivity,” Dr. Puldu said. “Do not reduce her case to an annual remembrance. Her life matters. Her freedom is long overdue.”
The press conference concluded with a renewed call for justice and freedom—not just for Sharibu, but for all women, girls, and men who continue to suffer under terrorist captivity in Nigeria.
Political analyst Abubakar Turaki has argued that the All Progressives Congress, APC’s control of 31 state governors and millions of members does not automatically guarantee victory in the 2027 general election.
Turaki made the remarks during an appearance on S24 TV on Monday, while analysing the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 elections and the controversy surrounding the chanting of "On Your Mandate We Shall Stand" during President Bola Tinubu’s presentation of the budget at the National Assembly.
He argued that the President could have simply asked those involved to stop if he was uncomfortable with it.
“If the President does not want this kind of chanting, he could have simply asked them to keep quiet,” Turaki said.
The analyst also recalled the circumstances surrounding former President Goodluck Jonathan’s defeat in the 2015 presidential election, as documented in Jonathan’s book, My Transition Hours, and Against the Run of Play.
He recalled that Jonathan enjoyed the support of between 20 and 24 state governors during his re-election campaign but still lost the presidential election, arguing that political control and numerical strength do not necessarily translate into electoral victory.
“Having 31 state governors and almost 13 million APC members does not automatically translate into winning the 2027 election,” he added.
Turaki further alleged that some individuals within the ruling party were working against its interests despite publicly identifying with the APC.
He cited comments attributed to Senator Ali Ndume, who reportedly warned that some politicians wear the APC cap in the morning but work against the party in the evening.
“Senator Ndume made it clear that there are people wearing the APC cap in the morning, but in the evening they are working against the party,” Turaki said.
The political analyst also questioned the internal democratic processes of political parties, recalling controversies surrounding vote counting during party activities.
He said videos showing difficulties with vote counting had raised questions about the conduct of internal party processes.
“I wonder if a full-grown adult cannot count. It is simply arithmetic. We all saw the videos. It cut across all the political parties that conducted their activities,” he said.
Turaki maintained that Nigerians should not assume that the numerical strength of any political party would determine the outcome of the 2027 general election.
He concluded that the forthcoming election would be a significant political contest, urging Nigerians to expect an interesting electoral process.
An Ikeja S£xual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Lagos State has sentenced a man, identified as Idris Ashimiyu, to life imprisonment for defiling an 11-year-old girl.
Justice Abiola Soladoye delivered the judgment on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after finding Ashimiyu guilty of a one-count charge of defilement brought against him by the Lagos State Government.
During the trial, the survivor, who was 13 years old when she testified, told the court that she knew the convict because he ran errands and washed cars within their compound.
She narrated how the incident happened and told the court that her grandmother later discovered what had happened after going to look for her.
Ashimiyu had pleaded not guilty to the charge. However, after reviewing the evidence presented by both the prosecution and defence, Justice Soladoye found the survivor’s testimony credible and held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court consequently sentenced him to life imprisonment and ordered that his name be entered into the Lagos State Sexual Offenders Register.