The case of abducted Christian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu has been raised in the UK Parliament.
Sharibu has been held captive since 19 February 2018 when Islamic militants attacked the Government Girls’ Science and Technical School in Dapchi, Yobe State, Nigeria, and abducted 110 schoolgirls.
Reportedly, five girls were tragically killed –104 were returned to their families, but Sharibu was kept because she refused to renounce her Christian faith and convert to Islam.
On 14 July 2025, Desmond Swayne, Conservative MP for UK constituency New Forest West, brought Sharibu’s case to attention: “To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has raised the religious persecution of Leah Sharibu in bilateral discussions with President Tinubu of Nigeria.”
In response, Hamish Falconer, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), stated: “The UK strongly condemns Leah Sharibu’s abduction and has repeatedly called for her release and the release of all those abducted by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA).
“We have raised Leah’s case with the Government of Nigeria, and the Minister for Africa will continue to do so in future engagements.
“More broadly, we continue to engage with the Government of Nigeria to support efforts to tackle insecurity and prevent further kidnappings, which includes support to Nigeria’s anti-kidnap cell, through the UK– Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership.”
Open Doors UK & Ireland has urged Christians to pray for Sharibu, and has provided a link to a petition calling for protection, justice, and restoration for those affected by violence and conflict in sub-Saharan Africa.
