Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan

The non-release of one of the kidnapped Dapchi school girls, Leah Sharibu, by Boko Haram insurgents, has taken a new dimension, as National Chairman of the National Action Council (NAC), Mr Olapade Agoro, on Saturday, gave President Muhammadu Buhari, a 72-hour ultimatum to ensure her release.

Agoro in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, threatened to drag President Buhari, before International Criminal Court (ICC) if he failed to ensure release of the only Christian student among the 110 Dapchi female students kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists.

He said, "it was unfortunate that Leah is being subjected to further physical and psychological trauma because she insisted on holding on to her religious faith, which is Christianity."

He also expressed his readiness to surrender himself to the Buhari-led Federal Government to be swapped with the innocent Dapchi girl, lamenting “if it has now become a crime to be a Christian in Nigeria."

Agoro said, "I am ready to walk freely to Buhari's negotiators to take me to the Boko Haram for them to take me to replace the innocent girl. I am ready to sacrifice my life to get Leah released unconditionally.

"Buhari should engage his negotiating machinery to get Leah released unconditionally from Boko Haram latest by Wednesday. The innocent girl must not be raped or subjected to any other form of inhuman treatment because of her faith.

"I am giving the Federal Government the ultimatum to get her released latest by Wednesday. If she is not released, by Friday, I will be dragging President Buhari before ICC.

"Since it is obvious that the Federal Government negotiated to get the other Dapchi students released, Buhari should come out and tell Nigerians, the terms and conditions of the negotiation."

Agoro insisted that Nigerians deserve to know, if it was part of the negotiation that only those who are Muslims or ready to embrace Islam would be released by Boko Haram, adding Buhari's failure to give convincing explanation will rekindle the suspicion of attempts to Islamize Nigeria.

He said, "The innocent girl is being made to suffer because of her faith. That should be a concern to all Muslims, Christians and parents in Nigeria. Nobody should be made to suffer, human life should be protected in Nigeria irrespective of religious faith."