Why Leah, Others Still In Boko Haram Custody -Military

The Nigerian military has revealed why Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu and some aid workers abducted by Boko Haram have not been rescued.
Acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed that those abducted by Boko Haram in the Northeast have not been rescued because troops are cautious not to put their lives in danger.
Nwachukwu made the disclosure while addressing journalists in Abuja during the Defense Headquarters Coordinated Joint Operations.
The Acting Director also stated that Boko Haram terrorists only used the abductions to raise funds to support their illicit activities.
Nwachukwu, however, assured that troops would not relent until they rescue all those held captive.
According to Nwachukwu: “Troops of operation Lafiya Dole troops have been treading cautiously because these people are all in the hands of the terrorists and any reckless move may result in their annihilation by the terrorists just to ward off the troops.
“It is a very complex and risky operation but the troops are working day and night to ensure that they are rescued”.
Sharibu was among the over 100 students kidnapped by the terrorists at the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College Dapchi,Yobe State, on February 19 2018.
The terrorist sect, however, refused to release Sharibu after setting others free due to her refusal to denounce her Christian faith.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Kukah, has called on the Nigerian government to consider de-radicalization campaign beyond what only military can handle.
The cleric said this while commenting on the ongoing fight against terrorism in Nigeria.
Kukah, who is also Head, Justice, Peace and Development Council made the call yesterday in Sokoto during the Diocese‘s end of the year news conference.
He emphasised the need for larger groups’ and stakeholders’ involvement in the campaign, adding that broadening the horizon would surely enhance achievement.
“De-radicalization should be viewed beyond government burden as community intervention on the targeted persons and children could shape the upbringing.
“It is more of psychology that needed more open ups to incorporate more change of ideology efforts”, Kukah said.
He commended media practitioners on their public awareness efforts, noting that despite challenges, more had been achieved in strengthening the face to face interaction.
The Bishop appealed to government at all levels to strive more on areas merging the differences among ethnic and religious groups in the country.
Kukah called on religious leaders to conduct themselves in a good manner so that the adherents would emulate.