Leah Sharibu not dead – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has described as “absolute fake news” the reports that the abducted Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, has died in captivity.

“It’s absolutely fake news. There is nothing like that,” the minister was quoted by his spokesperson as saying at a press briefing in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Sunday.

Miss Sharibu was abducted alongside over 100 other female students from their secondary school in Dapchi, Yobe State, in March 2018.

All of the girls who survived the kidnap were freed by the Boko Haram except Miss Sharibu who reportedly refused to denounce her Christian faith.

She has since been in the custody of the terror group despite repeated pledges by President Muhammadu Buhari and the federal government to ensure her freedom.

In the statement by Mr Mohamamed’s spokeperson, Segun Adeyemi, the minister claimed the reported death of Miss Sharibu, few days to the presidential election, is a ploy by the political opposition to tarnish the image of the administration and exploit primordial sentiments ahead of the polls.

“I think it’s part of the opposition’s strategies to throw everything at the administration and at the president. I think everyday they are realising the hopelessness of their position.

“Everyday they are amazed by the support Mr. President is receiving from every part of the country and they have decided that they are going to spread falsehood, inflame passion and make this election a Muslim-Christian affair or North-South affair, but people are not listening to them,” Mr Mohammed said.

– Premium Times