Leah Sharibu: ‘Your Agenda Is Political’, Muslim Group Replies CAN

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has rebuked the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over statement it made regarding the continued detention of Leah Sharibu, the only Christian among the schoolgirls abducted in Dapchi, Yobe state.

CAN had said there might be a religious war if Sharibu dies in Boko Haram captivity.

“Leah Sharibu must not die. Her death, God forbids, can spell doom for Nigeria. It can give an open invitation to religious war because Leah is being detained purely because of her religion,” Adebayo Oladeji, spokesman of Samson Ayokunle, CAN president, had said.

Recall that Sharibu, who has been in captivity for 85 days, had refused to renounce her faith in exchange for her freedom.

In a reaction on Friday, MURIC in a statement signed by its director, Isha’q Akintola, said the agenda of CAN is political, adding that the Christian association was “stoking the fire of war”.

“This LEAH Sharibu incident is Boko Haram’s last card along the same mission and we expect CAN leaders to know better. ‘But CAN cannot. CAN has its own political agenda.

“We strongly suspect that CAN is deliberately creating a conundrum. Leah Sharibu was abducted. Who abducted her? Boko Haram.

“Muslim leaders have rejected Boko Haram. Muslims are also victims of Boko Haram. CAN now wants war. Against who? Against Muslims. ‘Is it logical? Does it make sense at all?

“CAN is playing into the hands of Boko Haram. It would have made sense if CAN had said, “Boko Haram has refused to release Leah Sharibu. Therefore we are going after Boko Haram insurgents. Sambisa Forest here we come.

“So CAN can make noise now because a Muslim is in power? BUT CAN could look the other way when Christians were in power, particularly when the billions were flowing in the immediate past regime and Jerusalem trips were shorter than walks from home to church?” MURIC asked.

“We can understand this particularly now that the pecuniary tap in Aso Rock is dry.”