The Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to explore the option of dialogue to quicken the release of Leah Sharibu, who is currently in Book Haram captivity.
This followed a Point of Order, by Sen. Shehu Sani (PRP-Kaduna) at plenary on Thursday.
Sharibu is one of the 115 pupils abducted from Science Secondary School, Dapchi, Yobe State on February 19, 2018.
Referring to Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rule, under personal explanation, Sani said it was disheartening that 14 months after captivity, Leah Sharibu was still in the captivity of Boko Haram.
He also drew attention to the fate of some Chibok School girls still in Boko Haram captivity, five years after their abduction.
He said while there was no doubt that the Federal Government had intervened in ensuring the release of some of the captors, but expressed concern that there seemed to be silence on the release of the remaining girls.
“My problem is the silence of the political class. The silence of those that need to speak out.
“The stand that we should not negotiate with terrorists is true, but we have a hostage at hand and the life of that hostage is more important than any grandstanding.
”For every day this girl remains in the custody of her abductors, the cloud of guilt will continue to hang over Nigeria.
“This girl has carried out her duty, if she is slain, her blood will speak on the conscience of this nation.
“That is why I said even of nobody has the courage to speak about her and the others, I will.
“I urge the Federal Government to do everything to secure Leah’s release,” he said.
According to him, the captivity of the girls calls for urgent action to ensure their release.
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki said efforts must be made for the release of Leah and others.
A splinter group of Boko Haram insurgents had on Feb. 19, 2018, abducted 115 girls from the School, but released 109 a month after, claiming that five of the girls died in captivity while Leah Sharibu was held back for refusing to renounce her faith.
MM/GIK/APA