Leah Sharibu: Abductors rejected FG’s ransom for her freedom - Top source- Facts may have emerged on how the current administration made efforts to release Leah Sharibu, one of the Yobe state schoolgirls abducted by terrorists in 2018 - A top government source privy to the workings of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, told Legit.ng that a ransom was to be paid for Leah's release - The source reveals why the terrorists are still keeping Leah, almost two years after she and other schoolgirls were abducted Legit.ng has learnt that much earlier in the days of her abduction, there was a fast move by the federal government to free Leah Sharibu, one of the Dapchi, Yobe state schoolgirls taken away by terrorists in 2018. A dependable government source said third parties were brought into the picture with the aim of paying a ransom in a bid to secure Sharibu's release. However, the abductors, who had made the financial demand, were said to have backed out when payment was offered. Recommended for you 2023 guber elections: INEC appoints PDP's ally as ICT boss? Fact spring up The impeccable government source further told Legit.ng late Sunday, February 16, that the money was ready to be delivered when the terrorists who had made the request, suddenly changed their minds. Though he failed to mention the particular amount, he simply said it ran into "tonnes of millions of naira." In December 2019, the Nigerian government disclosed that it was making efforts to secure the release of Leah. The source further explained that while the channels of communication between top security agents, third parties and the terrorists at times take more than a month to complete one line of messages back and forth, the federal government, at that period, reached an agreement after such a long communication procedure only to be frustrated by the terrorists at a time the agreement had been sealed. "In the circumstances, the FG determined to secure the release, requested for an explanation as to the sudden refusal to receive the ransom by the terrorists only to be told by some of the third line communication channels that the terrorists decided they would never accept a ransom on Leah because they hoped to use her abduction to rankle religious passion and possibly cause a religious war in the country if they could," the source told Legit.ng Recommended for you “I will giv you N20k monthly”: Nigerian woman Esther “blows” after lady dra... He added that the government remains strongly committed to securing the release of Leah and all other identified and unidentified abductees by any means necessary. He said it was because of the motive of the terrorists to use Leah to fan the embers of religious tension that made them reject the ransom government security agencies prepared to pay them. According to him, despite the recorded frustration, top presidential officials encouraged the government to remain actively engaged with the channels of communication and the negotiators until a positive resolution is secured. He stressed that President Muhammadu Buhari has set a firm target and resolve to ensure the freedom of Leah and others by any means necessary. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app Recall that Leah and others between the ages of 11 and 19, were, on February 19, 2018, at 5.30 pm, kidnapped by the Boko Haram terrorists from the Government Girls' Science and Technical College (GGSTC) in Dapchi. Recommended for you Banks begin payment of old naira notes to customers, set withdrawal limits... At that period, the government deployed the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and other security agencies to search for the missing girls. On March 21, 2018, 104 out of the 110 abducted girls were released. Legit.ng earlier reported that Rebecca Sharibu, mother of Leah, remains hopeful that her daughter will return alive from Boko Haram captivity. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) - Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better. Buhari inducts combat helicopters to fight insurgency, says he won’t fail Nigerians | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - Facts may have emerged on how the current administration made efforts to release Leah Sharibu, one of the Yobe state schoolgirls abducted by terrorists in 2018 - A top government source privy to the workings of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, told Legit.ng that a ransom was to be paid for Leah's release - The source reveals why the terrorists are still keeping Leah, almost two years after she and other schoolgirls were abducted Legit.ng Legit.ng Legit.ng PAY ATTENTION: Legit.ng