The Presidency has dismissed rumours that Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi schoolgirl still held by Boko Haram, is dead.
The 16-year-old was abducted with 109 other girls of the Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State on February 19, 2018 just as the students were ready for dinner.
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Of the 110 girls abducted, five died in captivity while 104 were released on March 20, 2018.
Sharibu was not released because she refused to renounce her faith and convert to Islam as demanded by her captors.
Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement on Saturday insisted that Sharibu was alive, and that the Federal Government would continue to negotiate her release from the captivity of Boko Haram.
The government had severally insisted in the past that Sharibu was alive after more than a year in captivity.
Shehu said: ‘‘Instead of giving up, the government is carrying forward processes that should hopefully yield her release by her captors.”
He added: “Lines of communications remain open with the kidnappers, ISWAP, to secure the release of Leah Sharibu.
‘‘Contrary to false reports, she is alive – given assurances from our security agencies- and the government is committed to her safe return, as well as all other hostages to their families.
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“Kidnapping for ransom should never be encouraged. This means not capitulating to the demands of terrorists: refrain from rewarding their heinous crimes with payment.
“With the abduction of loved family (members) and friends, the government understands how difficult these times are for them, but government is pursuing many options to ensure the safe return of Leah Sharibu.”
