Nigeria’s FG dismisses as “completely false” reports of huge ransom and militant releases to free pupils abducted from St. Mary’s boarding school in Niger State
Did Nigeria Pay a Huge Ransom to Free Abducted St. Mary’s Pupils? Government Strongly Denies Reports, Calls Them Baseless Fabrications
The Federal Government has firmly shut down circulating reports alleging that a massive ransom—including the release of militant commanders—was paid to secure the release of over 200 pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Papiri, Niger State.
In a sharp rebuttal issued Tuesday, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris described the allegations—originally reported by international agency AFP citing anonymous intelligence sources—as “completely false and baseless.”
“The attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria has been drawn to a publication circulating in the media… alleging that the Nigerian Government paid a ‘huge’ ransom, including the release of militant commanders, to secure the freedom of the schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s boarding school in Niger State,” the statement read.
“The Federal Government states that these allegations are completely false and baseless, and constitute a disservice to the professionalism and integrity of Nigeria’s security forces and the sacrifices they make daily,” it added.
The government categorically declared: “For the avoidance of doubt, no ransom was paid, and no militant commanders were freed.”
Idris highlighted the reliance on shadowy sources: “The allegations rely entirely on anonymous ‘intelligence sources’ and individuals ‘familiar with the talks,’ in contrast to the clear and on-the-record denials issued by constituted authorities.”
He pointed out contradictions in the reports themselves and noted public refutations from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and National Assembly leadership.
On the dramatic claim of helicopter-delivered ransom with cross-border verification, the minister was blunt: “The assertion that ransom was delivered by helicopter to insurgents, with cross-border confirmation of receipt, is fiction,” adding that the DSS had “formally dismissed this claim as fake and laughable.”
The government emphasized that the successful, casualty-free rescue stemmed from coordinated intelligence and operational excellence—not negotiation with criminals.
“Nigeria is confronting a structured, profit-driven criminal enterprise,” the statement read. “The successful rescue of the pupils, without casualty, was the result of professional intelligence and operational precision.”
Idris reaffirmed the administration’s zero-tolerance ransom policy and urged media caution: “We respect the freedom of the press, but we firmly reject a narrative built on shadowy, unnamed sources.”
He called on outlets to verify facts before publishing stories that could embolden criminals or demoralize troops, as the nation continues its fight against kidnapping syndicates. The pupils were freed in the lead-up to Christmas following their November 21 abduction. Read More
