The family of kidnapped Christian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu have asked for prayers after Islamic radical group Boko Haram demanded for $275 million USD for her release.
Gloria Samdi Puldu, a friend of Sharibu’s mother, told Punch newspaper that the $275 million asking price, or N100bn, is no small amount of money, but hopes are that the Nigerian government will find a way to negotiate and bring the Christian girl home.
“We read the story (of the demand for N100bn) in the media. Ours is to pray and keep praying for the government and that is all we can say. We are praying for Leah Sharibu; we are praying for the government and even praying for Boko Haram. What do we do and what can we say?” said Puldu, who is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science, University of Jos.
“I have been in contact with Leah Sharibu’s parents and I spoke with them yesterday (Sunday). As I said, we have to pray because what else can be said about the demand for N100bn? Is there anything somebody can say about it? It’s just prayers, and that is all we are doing,” she added.
“We are praying for Leah, we are praying for the government, we are praying for Boko Haram and everybody. Let God intervene in this situation; that is all. I spoke with her parents, it is only prayers.”
An unnamed diplomatic source confirmed Sunday to Punch that the Islamic radicals have demanded the above-quoted sum of money for Sharibu, who has been held hostage after being kidnapped with other schoolgirls in February.
The 15-year-old girl is the only one of the group that remains in captivity, as she has refused to renounce her faith in Jesus Christ and convert to Islam.
The source assured that the Nigerian government keeps making efforts to free Sharibu.
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