Following the rapid spate of executions of hostages this week, the highest number in the history of Boko Haram, we began efforts to ascertain, across multiple channels, the state of heroine Christian Schoolgirl captive Leah Sharibu.

The latest video released says Boko Haram is still holding Leah Sharibu in first indication by terrorist group that she is still alive. The lecturer whom we reported last week was recently captured discloses this in the new video in which he is the spokesperson. https://twitter.com/a_salkida/status/1205883266361962496

This contradicts the video released in July which claimed Leah had been executed.

At the time we issued the following:

“US NIGERIA LAW GROUP’S FORENSIC ANALYSIS ON PURPORTED EXECUTION OF HEROINE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLGIRL LEAH

A proof of life video released last night of aid workers abducted last week contains the unsettling report that heroine Christian Schoolgirl Leah Sharibu has been killed.

Below is our forensic analysis of the said claim:

The video appears to have been released through the recognised conduit of the terror group

However the video does not contain the watermark signature bearing the emblem of the terror group’s flag

The video does not contain the usual Islamic songs used by the terrorists

The video does not contain any remarks, input or demand whatsoever from the terrorists themselves. Without clear identification of the abductors in a muddled field of contenders, ransom negotiations can be confusing.

The hostage speaker Grace is reportedly one of the recently captured aid workers in an attack on July 18 less than a week to the video recording. She would likely not have any knowledge of or interaction with Leah Sharibu within the space of just six days.

The hostage speaker Grace narrated that two Red Cross workers Hauwa and Zipporah were abducted and then killed. There was no hostage named Zipporah executed by the terrorists.

The hostage speaker Grace said they were held by the “army of Calipha.” This does not easily identify whether it is the terrorist splinter group now known as Islamic State West Africa Province or the original Shekau-led Boko Haram. The former abducted Leah while the latter abducted the Chibok girls.

The statement on heroine Christian Schoolgirl Leah and aid worker Alice’s death could have been a misperception or misconception of the speaker Grace erroneously assuming they were killed.

Alternatively the statement could have been foisted on the hostage as part of psychological warfare and negotiating strategy.

It seems out of character for a principled terror group who declared in a message last year that they would not kill Leah and Alice but hold them as slaves to now break their own word. Unlike killer Fulani Herdsmen, the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists have rules of engagement, scruples and codes of honor.

Based on the foregoing forensic analysis, we are unable to conclusively conclude that Leah and Alice are deceased.

There is simply no sufficient or credible evidence to support the report of their deaths.”

Sadly, the hostages pictured in that July video were executed this week except the spokeswoman Grace Takin who the terrorists have sentenced to life slavery along with Leah and UNICEF Aid worker Alice Ngaddah who is also believed to be alive.

The series of hostage executions are yet again evidence that the terrorists, like the majority of Nigerians, are fed up with the trenchant failings of the Buhari regime which they claim did not negotiate in good faith.

We appreciate ISWA clarifying the air on the status of Leah especially recognising that as an innocent girl child, there’s no basis for shedding her blood.

We call on all persons of goodwill to intercede for the release of these innocent hostages in this Yuletide season.

•Emmanuel Ogebe, ESQ, US Nigeria law group.

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