President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his commitment to the freedom of the only Dapchi schoolgirl still in Boko Haram captivity, expressing that he is aware of his constitutional responsibility to protect all lives in the country irrespective of religion or ethnic identity.
The President visiting Zamfara State on Thursday affirmed that no group will be allowed to impose any religion on others.
Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity, in statement in Abuja on Thursday, indicated that “the Buhari administration will not relent in efforts to bring Leah Sharibu safely back home to her parents as it has done for the other girls after she was held back by the terrorists over her decision, as reported, not to convert from Christianity to Islam.”
The SSA maintained that, “President Buhari is fully conscious of his duty under the constitution to protect all Nigerians, irrespective of faith, ethnic background or geopolitical location and will not shirk in this responsibility.
“The President is equally mindful of the fact that true followers of Islam all over the world respect the injunction that there is no compulsion in religion. To this effect, no one or group can its religion on another.”
The SSA added that the president’s heart goes out to the isolated parents who must watch others rejoice while their own daughter is still away.
“The lone Dapchi Girl, Leah, will not be abandoned,” he reiterated
Shehu reaffirmed that President Buhari assures the Sharibu family that he will continue to do all he can to ensure that they also have cause to rejoice with their daughter soon.