Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

Sequel to the one month ultimatum given by the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) to the Federal Government to respond to its demand for ransom or have Miss Leah Sharibu killed, the girl’s father, Mr. Nathaniel Sharibu, has called on the government to act fast by paying ransom as demanded by the insurgents.

Sharibu called on the media and Nigerians not to relent in ensuring that his daughter (Leah) is released from captivity.

Mr. Sharibu spoke with Daily Sun in a telephone interview, in Abuja.

Prior to the interview, Sharibu had called Daily Sun Correspondent few minutes earlier, a situation which meant that Sharibu needed urgent attention on Leah’s case.

Recall that Leah was abducted by ISWA, a faction of Boko Haram on February 19, 2018, alongside other students from the Government Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State.

A month after the abduction, 104 of the abducted students were released, five others died, with Leah still in captivity.

The development had continued to draw condemnation from both local and international communities.

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ISWA issued the threat after it killed International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) midwife, Saifura Hussaini Ahmed Khorsa, in Rann, Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.

Abducted alongside Ahmed earlier in March were two other humanitarian workers, Hauwa Leman and Alice Ngaddah who are still in captivity.

According to Mr. Sharibu, “I want pressure on the Federal Government that they should do something at least.

“I want you people to put pressure on the federal government, that they should react and pay the ransom so that they can release them,” Sharibu said.

Mr. Sharibu also pleaded with Nigerians to react to the situation since ISWA are demanding for ransom so that the captives could be released.

He continued, “I am pleading. I am pleading as I used to plead, that they can react as these people have said something like this. They have to react concerning it,” Sharibu further said.

Mr. Sharibu further said although he received calls from family and loved ones upon receiving the news, there was no single call on the part of the government.

He expressed the hope that his daughter will return home safely if the government reacts.

“I am hopeful if the government will react. They have to react concerning their request,” Sharibu concluded.