Leah Sharibu: "No person has the right to force another to change their faith" - Buhari

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Retd.) has spoken on the circumstances surrounding the abduction of Leah Sharibu, who remains in the captivity of the Islamist terror group, Boko Haram.

The President released an official statement on the Presidency's official Twitter account, coming two years after she was abducted alongside 110 children in the Dapchi town, Yobe State.

Now aged 16, Leah remains in the hands of the terrorists – they say because she refuses to renounce her Christian faith, @NGRPresident posted on Twitter.

"Two years ago, 110 innocent children from the town of Dapchi were taken, against their will, by the terrorists of Boko Haram. 107 survived the ordeal. Today all but one – Leah Sharibu – are returned to their families.

"We say, as the Govt for and of all Nigerians, that no person has the right to force another to change their faith against their will & that all life is sacred.

The statement reads:

"This government continues and seeks to secure the release of all children and captives of terrorists – and we do so regardless of their creed or the name of their creator.

"As we redouble our efforts for Leah’s return, we can never allow the terrorists to divide us - Christian against Muslim, Muslim against Christian. We are all Sons of Abraham. And all Nigerians have the same worth and rights before the law, and before God."