The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has urged the Federal government to ensure the immediate release of Leah Sharibu and the remaining Chibok schoolgirls, especially following the death of a humanitarian aid girl, Saifura Khorsa, who was kidnapped six months ago by the insurgents.
The Boko Haram insurgents issued a statement this week, threatened to harm Sharibu, the Chibok and Dapchi girls.
The Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the church, the Most Reverend Nicholas D. Okoh, made the plea at the church’s Standing Committee meeting held at the St. Peter’s Cathedral Church in Minna, Niger State.
The Primate maintained that conscious and deliberate efforts should be made to end the ordeal of the captive girls, their parents and families by ensuring the freedom of the innocent girls.
“I plead with the government that no sacrifice will be too much to get them out alive else the reverse will be a black spot in our history,” Okoh said.
The one week meeting being attended by over 1,000 delegates made up of houses of bishops, priests and laity has as its theme: “God, Our Refuge and Strength”.
Primate Okoh listed how Nigeria and the world are presently embroiled in multiple disasters that are putting the human race in fears of destruction.
“Breaking News of disasters, both natural and man-made and increased fear, we are indeed living in a highly traumatized world,” he said.
He however, urged Christians not to be disillusioned “because God wants us to know that in an insecure Nigeria, we do have peace and security in Him”.
While commending government’s efforts at addressing the welfare of the workers, he also urged government to seriously look into the review of minimum wage with a view to reducing the poverty level in the country.
On the forthcoming 2019 General Elections, the Primate admonished political office seekers and the political leaders to be conscious in seeking for power at all costs that power comes only from God and that they should be cautious in their electioneering campaigns towards the elections.
He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain an unbiased umpire, and should avoid anything that will disenfranchise any eligible Nigerian.
He also charged members of the Armed forces and other security agencies to be impartial.
