No Ransom Was Paid for Freed Schoolchildren, Says Federal Government

ABUJA – The Federal Government has vehemently dismissed widespread reports claiming that it paid a multimillion-naira ransom or released detained militant commanders to secure the freedom of over 200 students abducted from St. Mary's Boarding School in Niger State.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the reports as "completely false and baseless," insisting that the successful rescue operation was carried out without any negotiation with the abductors.

The denial follows media reports, which cited anonymous security sources, alleging that the government paid a "huge" ransom to secure the children's release. The figures quoted in the reports varied wildly, ranging from as high as N2 billion overall to specific amounts like N40 million per child.

Some of the reports further claimed that the ransom money was delivered via helicopter to Boko Haram commanders in the Timbuktu Triangle of Borno State as part of the deal.

Speaking with State House correspondents in Abuja, Minister Idris labeled the stories as pure "fiction."

"We have seen those reports, and we want to state categorically that they are completely false and baseless," Idris said. "No ransom was paid, and no militant commanders were freed. That is the simple truth. The government achieved the release of those children through professional intelligence and operational precision. Period."

The minister urged the public to disregard the rumours and commended the security agencies for their professionalism in ensuring the safe return of the students without yielding to the demands of the terrorists.

However, the allegations have sparked political reactions. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for transparency, warning that if the reports of a ransom payment were true, it would amount to the government "doing business with terrorists," which could severely undermine Nigeria's counter-terrorism architecture and embolden future abductions.

As of press time, the Niger State Government and the Office of the National Security Adviser have not issued separate statements on the matter beyond the minister's denial

Timescope news