Jos, Nigeria – May 14, 2025
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.
