What Leah Sharibu's family has decided to do as Boko Haram insurgents demand N100bn ransom

A senior lecturer in the department of Political Science, University of Jos, Gloria Samdi Puldu, has said that the family of Leah Sharibu has turned to prayers over the demand of N100 billion ransom by the Boko Haram insurgents from the federal government.

Puldu is said to be a friend of Leah's mother. She said the need for prayers to be intensified became necessary because N100bn was a massive amount of ransom, Punch reports.

Leah happens to be one of the 110 female students of Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe, who had been held in captivity since February 19, 2018, by Boko Haram terrorists on account of her Christian faith.

In reaction to the insurgents' demand for such huge ransom, Puldu stated: “We read the story (of the demand for N100bn) in the media. Ours is to pray and keep praying for the government and that is all we can say. We are praying for Leah Sharibu; we are praying for the government and even praying for Boko Haram. What do we do and what can we say?

“I have been in contact with Leah Sharibu’s parents and I spoke with them yesterday (Sunday). As I said, we have to pray because what else can be said about the demand for N100bn? Is there anything somebody can say about it? It’s just prayers, and that is all we are doing.

“We are praying for Leah, we are praying for the government, we are praying for Boko Haram and everybody. Let God intervene in this situation; that is all. I spoke with her parents, it is only prayers.”

A source confirmed that members of the factional Boko Haram sect, who abducted Leah had demanded N100bn ransom before her release.

The source, which claimed to be involved in the negotiation for the release of the schoolgirl revealed: “It is not that the government of Nigeria is not making efforts at getting Leah Sharibu out of the grips of the Boko Haram.

"But we are aware that the terrorist organisation holding her is demanding N100bn. Though no amount is too much to get the soul of one innocent person out of danger, I think the government of Nigeria is considering many things.

“We all know that elections are ahead and that the terrorist organisation may also be planning to embark on inflicting damage on the people; the government has to be careful and also be diplomatic about it. We are pleading that members of the Boko Haram sect be considerate in their demands as well. They should please release the girl to her parents.”

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that members of the factional Boko Haram sect who kidnapped Leah Sharibu alongside no fewer than 109 students in Dapchi, Yobe state early in 2018 had allegedly demanded N100bn ransom for her release.

Diplomatic source which claimed to be involved in the negotiation for the release of the schoolgirl said there were fears that if given the money, the terrorists could use the cash to acquire weapons with which they would unleash terror on innocent Nigerians in the future.