The Christian world in Nigeria has risen up in prayer for Liya Shuaibu, one of the 110 girls of Federal Government Science and Technical College, Dapchi, who was kidnapped by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, but was not released along with the 104 girls who were released by the group, yesterday, allegedly because she refused to renounce Christianity and convert to Islam.
According to the girl’s father, Nata Sharibu, who spoke on Raypower FM radio, he was informed that his daughter was not released along with the 104 girls whose release set Dapchi and indeed the entire country agog in joy, yesterday, because she refused to renounce her faith and convert to Islam.
Sharibu, said even though he is sad his daughter, though still alive, was not among those released, he was still very happy that she did not denounce Christ even at the risk of her life. “They gave her the option of converting in order to be released but she said she will never become a Muslim”, she was quoted as saying. “I am very sad but I am also jubilating too because my daughter did not denounce,” Sharibu said enthusiastically.
His call for Christians to rise up in prayer for his daughter’s safe return has been taken up by several Christian groups who have been sending WhatsApp, text messages and emails to Christian groups and individuals to rise up in prayers for Liya Shuaibu.
The chain messages which have been circulating since last night urge Christians to rise up in fervent prayers for the exemplary Christian girl who refuses to renounce Christ and Christianity.
“Pray for Liya Sharibu, the Dapchi girl who Boko Haram has refused to release because she refuses to renounce Christ and convert to Islam”, one of the messages said, while asking them to “Pray for her safe return. Pray for her to remain strong in her faith. Pray that God will stamp out the terrorist group”, some others urged.
Others said “People of God, please let us raise prayer for Liya Sharibu that the hand of the Lord will be upon her, that the Lord should deliver her from the den of lions den and bring her safely without being molested. Please let us arise and pray for this girl. If you are a true Christian, send this message to other Christians and dedicate at least three minutes to pray for this girl till she is released.”
Of the 110 students who were kidnaped on February 19, 104 of them were released and brought to Dapchi by the terrorists yesterday, while five of them were said to have died in circumstances yet to be known.
Only Liya Sharibu, remains unaccounted for though some of the released girls told the father she was alive but remained in captivity because of her refusal to renounce Christ and convert to Islam.