By Waliu Adeyeri
3 years 32 days in the den of Boko Haram
Leah Sharibu was abducted with 109 female students of the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State on February 19, 2018.
While others were released, Leah was held captive and reportedly married off to a top Boko Haram leader because she failed to renounce her faith.
Recently, US-Nigeria Law group reported that Leah has given birth to a second child in captivity. A clear indication of a failed government to protect its citizens and a cowardly act by a terrorist group.
Why Students?
The question that begs for accurate answer is ‘why the target on students?’
It’s no news that terrorist groups have been targeting students. With countless reports from Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara States making the news headlines in recent weeks.
READ ALSO; Fresh Attack in Kaduna as Gunmen Kidnap Female Students
A quick look at the possible reasons bandits, terrorist target students in Nigeria.
TO GAIN GLOBAL ATTENTION: One of the possible reasons students are been targeted by terrorist, bandits etc. is to gain a public attention. Recall that the Chibok Kidnap, Dapchi Kidnap gained global attention and one of the factors that led to the acceptance of its allegiance to Islamic States group.
ECONOMIC REASON: This involves getting robust ransom in order to expand their treasury. In recent days, the Nigerian government has been spending hugely on ransome. According to a recent post by President Buhari calling for an end to the negotiations and ransome payments.
TO CARRY-OUT BARBARIC ACTS: Captives have also been used as war-tools to carry-out barbaric acts. Suicide bombing, human shields etc.
For whatever reasons bandits, terrorists kidnap students, it is nothing but a show of cowardice by the group, a clear indication of a failed government and a compromised security system of the nation.
