Leah Sharibu, the schoolgirl kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2018, now leads a medical team of the sect in Lake Chad, according to local security sources.
Sharibu was abducted alongside over 109 schoolmates from Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, on February 19, 2018. Five of the girls were reportedly killed in captivity while ISWAP returned 104 girls to their families, except Sharibu.
ISWAP reportedly kept Sharibu because she refused to comply with their demands and convert to Islam.
After her abduction, Sharibu was “trained” on how to administer some medical services to injured Boko Haram fighters and women. She now leads the ISWAP medical team in the northern part of the Lake Chad area.
The terrorists have, as part of their antics, forced captives with expertise in some areas like medicine, nursing, engineering, and computer, among others, to train their members in such areas.
Sharibu is also said to have remarried an ISWAP commander after divorcing her first husband whom she had two children for.
The captive’s father has accused the government of abandoning his family. He said he has not heard anything from the federal, state, and local governments since his daughter was abducted.
The government has negotiated with Boko Haram for Sharibu’s release, but there has been no progress.