LAGOS, Nigeria — Friends of Leah Sharibu, a group of women advocates, marked the 23rd birthday of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirl on May 14, 2026, to demand her immediate freedom from captivity.
Grace Osifekun, the leader of the group, conducted an advocacy and enlightenment visit to keep the account of the abduction before the public and government officials. She said every passing birthday is both a heartbreaking milestone and a renewed opportunity to demand urgent action for her release.
Okay News reports that Grace Osifekun confirmed the group maintains a platform for members in Nigeria and abroad to coordinate intercessory prayers. These sessions are held on the 7th, 14th, and 21st of every month at 12 midnight, 6am, noon, and 6pm WAT.
Leah Sharibu was among 110 students abducted by insurgents from the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College in Dapchi on the 19th of February, 2018. While other students were released after one month, Sharibu remained in custody. Osifekun said that Sharibu, who was 14 at the time of her capture, has now spent eight years in captivity.
The group has communicated with Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Musa Christopher, who previously served as the Chief of Defence Staff. Osifekun said Musa replied to her inquiries online and told her “he’s working on it” and that “Leah Sharibu is not forgotten.”
Osifekun issued an appeal to Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu, to intervene in the case. The group previously held awareness events at Ransom Kuti Park and Anthony Bridge in Lagos. Osifekun also detailed a past visit to Makurdi in Benue State where she learned that Yobe State was 750 kilometres away from her location.
