The abductors of Leah Sharibu have demanded N100bn ransom for her release.
Leah is the only captive among the 119 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Dapchi, Yobe state, still with Boko Haram after the others were released in March, 2018.
According to a diplomatic source who spoke with Punch newspaper, there were fears that if given the money, the terrorists could use the cash to acquire weapons with which they would unleash terror on innocent Nigerians in the future.
the source claims to be involved in the negotiation for the release of the schoolgirl.
The source argues that giving such huge sum of money to the terrorist organisation could also negatively affect national security ahead of the 2019 general election.
“It is not that the government of Nigeria is not making efforts at getting Leah Sharibu out of the grips of the Boko Haram,” the newspaper quoted the source as saying.
“But we are aware that the terrorist organisation holding her is demanding N100bn. Though no amount is too much to get the soul of one innocent person out of danger, I think the government of Nigeria is considering many things.
“We all know that elections are ahead and that the terrorist organisation may also be planning to embark on inflicting damage on the people; government has to be careful and also be diplomatic about it.
“We are pleading that members of the Boko Haram sect be considerate in their demands as well. They should please release the girl to her parents.”
