On the day her life changed forever, Leah Sharibu was 14. She was at her school, Government Girls Science Technical College in Dapchi, Nigeria. Life was full optimism.
But on the evening of February 18, 2018, those dreams ended when militants attacked the school. More than 100 students were taken into captivity. A month later, to the relief of many grieving parents, most of the students were released through backchannel efforts.
Except Leah.
That morning as the girls loaded up in trucks to return home, Leah stayed behind. Her captors knew she was a Christian, and told her to renounce that identity. She refused. “I am a Christian,” she said. And so she remained in captivity.
On May 14, Leah will turn 20 — marking 1,911 days since she was taken. For her mother and father, the heartache continues each day. Sadly, the widespread support and campaigning for Leah’s release has gradually waned since the story became international news five years ago.
Nathan and Rebecca Sharibu still live in Dapchi, waiting for Leah to return. Earlier this year, Open Doors workers had the opportunity to visit Rebecca and Nathan to encourage them, pray with the family and to let them know that Open Doors supporters continue to pray for Leah and their family.
“Who is a Christian?”
Rebecca still recalls the events of the day the rest of the girls were freed: “When all the parents ran to the school to see their daughters, I was told Leah is not among them. Leah was not returned. I asked the girls that came back, ‘How come Leah is not back?’ “The girls told me, ‘We all gathered, and they asked us who is a Christian? Leah raised her hands, but we rebuked her and said that we are all Muslims.’ But she refused.”
The girls told Rebecca that after her declaration of faith, Leah was crying. “We were all crying as they put us in the van and left,” one of Leah’s classmates said.
Two months later, ISWAP released a proof of life video in which Leah begged for the government’s help and asked the public to “help my mother, father, my younger brother and relatives.” Two weeks later, the militant group warned they would kill Leah, 15 at the time, if their demands were not met. After the deadline, ISWAP released another video saying that Leah would be their “slave for life.”
Rebecca has yet to see or hear from her daughter personally. “Only the video released some days after their abduction, that was the first and last time I saw her face and heard her voice,” she says.
“Nothing is too big for God.”
Despite everything that has happened — knowing that her daughter would be with her right now if Leah had renounced her faith — Rebecca says she is proud.
“I am thankful to Leah for the decision she took,” Rebecca says, still visibly traumatized. “Her strong faith makes me feel very happy.”
The Sharibus’ faith in God is unwavering—a true testimony of what faithfulness looks like. They continue to pray for their daughter’s return. “We are praying for her; nothing is too big for God to do. I know one day she will come back,” she says resolutely.
But don’t mistake strength for happiness. Walking the path of suffering carries with it immeasurable pain. “Honestly, we are not happy…” Rebecca admits. “We are just managing our lives here.”
Yet she doesn’t live in despair. Instead, her suffering has brought her renewed perspective that often only comes through crisis and dependence: “God has been our source of strength in everything we are doing,” she says. “Looking at my walk with God, I can say this is the time I became closer to Him.” Like so many persecuted believers trying to navigate the loss of a family member, Rebecca turns to her community and God’s Word for support: “Joining the women’s fellowship church, I have been really encouraged and strengthened,” she shares. “Staying alone at home will not strengthen or encourage me.”
Rebecca has a powerful message to supporters who have not ceased praying for Leah: “I give thanks to God. May the Lord protect and preserve you, wherever you are. We are praying for you, day and night. I am pleading with everyone around the world, I know people have been praying, I am still pleading that we should keep praying. That God will help and rescue her one day from her captors. Not only for Leah.”
In Nigeria, and throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, abduction has become a profitable business. Each year, thousands of Christians, as well as moderate Muslims, are kidnapped by Islamic radicals for ransom payments. In Nigeria alone, 2,510 Christians were kidnapped in 2022.
“I want to say a big thank you to Open Doors who have been praying with us, may God bless you all. Our thanksgiving is the only thing I can give. I lack how best to say thank you.”
Open Doors continues to advocate for the Nigerian government to create a position within its structure for solely maintaining an active family liaison and an open and accessible channel of communication with the traumatized parents of all Christian hostages.
Prayer
- Rebecca Sharibu shares: “My request morning and night is that you keep praying for Leah, as you have been doing in the past. I know that one day God will answer and rescue my daughter.”
- Pray for Leah and the countless other persecuted believers in Nigeria who refuse to deny Christ despite the dangers and persecution they face.
- While she remains captive, pray that she will experience God’s grace and encouragement daily.
- Pray that the Nigerian government will find new and effective ways to protect and take care of its citizens.
- Pray for peace and an end to the violence of militant groups across Nigeria.