The President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the release of Leah Sharibu, an aid worker, Grace Taku and other hostages held by Boko Haram terrorists before it is too late.
Noting that the primary duty of any serious government is the security of lives and property of the people, the Christian leader said any government that cannot guarantee this responsibility may lose the confidence of the citizens.
The Special Assistant, Media, to the CAN President, Pastor Bayo Oladeji, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, said CAN had seen the video by Taku in which she appealed to the Federal Government, CAN, and other well-meaning people to secure her freedom and those of the other five victims abducted by Boko Haram insurgents.
In response to Taku’s cry, the Christian association, therefore, appealed to the FG and security agencies to secure her freedom and the others like Sharibu from captivity.
It said, “Boko Haram sect sometimes in April this year reportedly kidnapped a National Youth Service Corps member, Abraham Amuta and a cleric with Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), identified as Pastor Moses Oyeleke in Borno State. We have not heard anything about their whereabouts.
“We have heard the prompt response made by the Federal Government to the Save-Our-Soul cry of Grace and we join her in calling on President Muhammadu Buhari, and the security agencies, especially the Department of State Security to secure her freedom, and that of Leah Sharibu.
“Grace Taku has cried out on behalf of other hostages, like Amuta and Pastor Moses Oyeleke before it is too late.”
The CAN said it strongly believed Sharibu is alive and she and others should be set free, stressing that the government needed to expedite action towards their release.
The group also restated calls for the overhaul of the nation’s security apparatus, noting that the roads are unsafe “as kidnappers, terrorists, killer herdsmen and bandits are operating with impunity.”
Punch
