ICC Note: The UK has offered to help Nigeria find and rescue Leah Sharibu. She is the only girl out of 110 who were abducted from a school in Dapchi, Nigeria earlier this year, still being held by Boko Haram. She is also the only Christian from that group, and continues to be held specifically for her faith.

07/06/2018 Nigeria (Premier UK) – The UK Government has offered assistance to the Nigerian government to help find captured Christian Nigerian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu.

The 15-year-old is being held by terror group Boko Haram because she refuses to denounce her Christian faith.

On Wednesday in the House of Commons, Tom Brake, the MP for Carshalton and Wallington, asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his department has had with the Nigerian authorities regarding the fate of Leah.

Harriett Baldwin, Minister of State for Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said the Foreign Secretary spoke to Nigerian Vice President Osinbajo on 26th February and extended an offer of additional UK assistance following the abductions from Dapchi.

She added: “Attacks on schools and abductions of children are abhorrent and must stop.

“The Government of Nigeria has said they are making all efforts to secure her release. The UK is resolute in its support for Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram, and are providing a substantial package of intelligence, military and humanitarian support to assist in the response to the ongoing conflict.”

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