Source: www.morningstarnews.org
Date: May 9, 2026
At this time of year, we always remember Leah Sharibu in Nigeria.
Leah will turn 23 on Thursday 14 May. It will be the ninth birthday she has not spent in the company of her family or friends, but with terrorists who have held her captive since she was 14 years old.
We know that many of you pray regularly for Leah and her loved ones. We hope that one day we will be able to write to you with good news that those prayers have been answered. But until that day, let us renew our call for action, freedom, justice and hope.
A reminder of Leah’s case:
In February 2018, 110 schoolgirls were abducted in Dapchi, northeast Nigeria. They were taken by members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist group.
The surviving girls were returned home a month later following negotiations, but Leah was not among them. She was the sole Christian, and had refused to convert in exchange for her release. Leah has been in captivity ever since.
She is still not free – but still not forgotten. We pray once again:
- For decisive action that secures the safe return of Leah Sharibu, and all who have been abducted in Nigeria over the past decade.
- That the perpetrators would not escape punishment or enjoy impunity.
- That God will provide Leah with all she needs to get through each day. Even in the presence of terrorist captors, may God’s presence be closer still.
- For the loved ones of those who have been abducted or killed in Nigeria, who may be grieving, traumatised, fearful of the future, or anxiously waiting for answers.
‘The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’ (Psalm 34:18)
One more thing:
Friday marks four years since Pastor Efrén Antonio Vílchez López was beaten and detained in Nicaragua.
He is still in a maximum-security prison, still serving a 23-year sentence, and still being treated unjustly. He is not allowed any books, receives little water, and has been denied essential medicine for health conditions. Thank you for keeping Pastor Efrén in your prayers.
Please pray as we deliver our petition – signed by more than 800 people already – to strategic Nicaraguan embassies this week. And make sure to add your name by Wednesday, if you haven’t already: csw.org.uk/FreePastorEfren