Leah Sharibu Marks 23rd Birthday in Captivity as Renewed Campaign Demands Her Release

The story of Leah Sharibu has resurfaced with renewed urgency as she marks her 23rd birthday in captivity, more than six years after her abduction from school in northeastern Nigeria.

Leah was taken in 2018 alongside classmates from the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, in a mass kidnapping that shocked the country and drew global condemnation. While most of her classmates were later released, she was reportedly held back after refusing to renounce her Christian faith.

Her continued detention has turned her into a powerful national symbol of endurance, faith, and Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis, particularly in regions affected by insurgency and armed groups.

As she turned 23, advocacy group “Friends of Leah Sharibu” renewed public calls for her release, saying her case must not fade from national and international attention.

The group, made up of concerned women across Nigeria and abroad, said its mission remains focused on sustained awareness, engagement with authorities, and pressure for government action.

Speaking during an advocacy visit, the group’s coordinator, Mrs. Grace Osifekun, said the campaign is designed to ensure Leah’s situation remains visible to policymakers, security agencies, and global partners.

She said each passing birthday is a painful reminder of time lost, but also a renewed opportunity to intensify advocacy efforts for her safe return.

According to her, members of the group have maintained communication with relevant government and military officials over the years, including senior defence leadership, as part of ongoing efforts to support Leah’s release.

The group also highlighted its prayer network and online community, noting that members in Nigeria and abroad continue to mobilise awareness through coordinated campaigns and periodic engagements.

Leah’s case remains one of the most enduring reminders of Nigeria’s insecurity challenges, especially in the northeast, where insurgent violence has displaced communities and disrupted education for thousands of children.

Despite repeated public appeals and shifting security strategies, her whereabouts remain unknown, leaving her family and supporters in prolonged anguish.