Please pray: Leah Sharibu still in captivity after eight years

Leah Sharibu was kidnapped by Boko Haram eight years ago and remains in captivity in Nigeria. Another young woman with the same experience shares her testimony.

“God freed us. He will free you.” Those are the words on a sign held up by a young woman in Nigeria. Two other women next to her hold similar homemade signs, saying: “Leah, we are praying for you!!!” and “You are not forgotten.” 

These women are praying for Leah Sharibu, who was abducted by Islamist militants on 19 February 2018 when she was 14 years old. More than a hundred other schoolgirls were taken at the same time, but Leah was the only one who remained in captivity – because she refused to deny Jesus. 

Many of you have faithfully prayed for Leah over the past eight years, and those prayers are sustaining her waiting family. But these three young women have a special reason for praying. Each of them has lived through what Leah is experiencing. 

Abduction and assault 

At trauma care, organised and funded by Open Doors local partners, one of the women shared her story. 

“I was living a sweet life,” says Alheri*. “Then, in September 2014, Boko Haram invaded our town.” She was only 12 years old. 

“When they came, the whole town was filled with sounds of gunshots,” she continues. “They killed some people; the ones that could escape, escaped. The ones they could grab, they grabbed them.” 

Alheri was one of the girls and women abducted and marched into the bush. Eventually, she was forcibly married to one of the Boko Haram militants. She faced continual sexual assault, as well as other violence, and suffered two miscarriages. As a Christian, she was vulnerable to the worst physical abuse. 

“They used to beat us. I got beaten by different people,” she says. “They even threatened us with their guns saying we should become Muslims and receive their doctrines, or they would kill us.” Despite being so young and vulnerable, Alheri – like Leah – stood firm. “I didn’t renounce my faith,” she shares. 

Six years in captivity 

At one stage the man, Alheri’s so-called ‘husband’, was killed, but she was kept in captivity. For six years, Alheri continued to plead with God for her freedom: “While staying with them, my thought was, ‘O God, please don’t leave me with these wicked people. God, please rescue me, take me out of here o my God above’.” 

After six years, her prayers were answered. Alheri and three other girls saw their opportunity and ran. “We heard a donkey’s bray and followed the sound – we found some Fulanis,” she remembers. “We asked them the way out and they showed us how to get to the road. We kept walking till I found myself close to town. Then I got to reach home.” 

Continuing ordeal 

While Alheri is thankful for her escape, her life has continued to be hard. Her mum has since died of a heart attack – which is sadly common among those waiting for their loved ones to be released. Many parents develop high blood pressure or diabetes as a result of the extreme stress. “I believe it was because I was kidnapped that she had a heart attack and died,” says Alheri. 

On top of this, some of Alheri’s community has taunted and insulted her since her return: “Some were saying ‘Boko Haram’s bride, Boko Haram’s wife’… There are some that are disgusted by us.” 

Trauma care from Open Doors local partners is helping restore Alheri’s sense of identity. They are showing her love and comfort. “I came and met the people working here and they weren’t disgusted by us,” she says. “They didn’t neglect us – instead, they welcomed us. The things we didn’t expect to get in life, we have come and received it here. The things I used to feel before, like stomach-ache or my heart beating fast, I don’t feel any more. Honestly, during the days I have spent here, my life has changed.” 

Alheri’s hope for Leah 

Alheri and other young women continue to hold Leah, and all in captivity, in their fervent prayers. “The God that rescued me should also rescue them from that bush,” she prays. “God should take their sufferings away and return them home, just as He did for us. Not Leah alone but many Christians out there, they are going through suffering.” 

Please keep praying for Leah Sharibu, for her family, and for all who are being held in captivity. Your prayers today can help sustain our sister. 

*Name changed for security reasons