Leah Sharibu’s Father: No Contact From Gov. Officials; Family in Danger

Christians around the world are praying for Leah, a captive of Boko Haram since February. Her family needs prayer as well.

By Liberty McArtor Published on July 18, 2018

People around the world committed to pray for Leah Sharibu on July 18 β€” 150 days into her captivity with Boko Haram. But her family needs prayer as well.

In February, the 15-year-old was kidnapped along with 109 other girls from their school in Dapchi, Nigeria. Five girls died in captivity. In March, Boko Haram released the remaining girls to their families β€” except for Leah.

The terrorist group refused to release her because she is a Christian and wouldn’t convert to Islam, her classmates reported.

A representative with International Christian Concern (ICC) contacted Leah’s father Nathan Sharibu by telephone, Nathan Johnson told The Stream. Johnson is the Africa regional manager for ICC.

Since the kidnapping, no government official has contacted Leah’s family, Mr. Sharibu said. Johnson called that “surprising,” considering promises from Nigerian government officials to work for her release.

Johnson previously told The Stream that Leah is likely undergoing heavy conversion attempts, if not torture. Her family has received no word of her condition, Mr. Sharibu said.

Danger for the Family

Mr. Sharibu asks for prayers for Leah and the rest of his family, including Leah’s mother and brother. Leah’s mother, depressed over her daughter’s captivity, is especially in need of prayer, he said. Leah’s brother has been transferred to a different school for safety reasons.

The ordeal has been “really hard on them,” Johnson told The Stream.

“Boko Haram is still active in that area,” he continued. It’s dangerous for the Sharibus because it’s no secret they are a Christian family in a Sharia law state. It puts a “target on their back.”

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News reports have mentioned Leah’s family. But “there hasn’t really been too much help yet,” Johnson added. Now that ICC is in contact with the family, the organization will work to give them aid.

In addition to prayer, Johnson says raising awareness about Leah’s captivity and pressuring the Nigerian government is crucial. Find out more about the July 18 prayer campaign and how to contact Nigerian government officials regarding Leah’s release.

And please join us in prayer for Leah.

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