I’m gladmy daughter didn’t deny Christ – father of ‘only Dapchi schoolgirl in captivity’

Biological father of the only student of Federal Government Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe state who is yet to be freed, Nata Sharibu says Boko Haram insurgents decided not to release his daughter because she refused to denounce Christ.

A total of 110 students were abducted when insurgents raided the school on February 19.

In a surprising manner, Boko Haram fighters returned the girls to Dapchi on Wednesday. Liya Sharibu did not make it back to Dapchi apart from the five schoolgirls who reportedly lost their lives.

Multiple sources told this newspaper that 104 girls were released but Lai Mohammed, minister of information, said only 76 had been profiled.

He later update the number of freed girls to 91, saying additional information would be released later.

Speaking on RayPower FM shortly after the students were released, the girl’s father said he learnt that the insurgents gave his daughter the option of converting to Islam but she rejected it.

He expressed delight over her stance but prayed for her return.

“All of them were released. They said some were dead there and my daughter is alive but they cannot release her because she is a Christian,” he said.

“They gave her the option of converting in order to be released but she said she will never become a Muslim… I am very sad but I am also jubilating too because my daughter did not denounce Christ.”