The Federal Government has firmly denied claims that it paid N2 billion to free students abducted from St. Mary’s School in Niger State.
The allegation sparked national debate after a foreign media report suggested money exchanged hands.
However, authorities described the report as misleading and completely untrue.
At the center of the controversy is the St. Mary’s School ransom payment claim. According to the government, no money was given to militants to secure the students’ freedom.
In a statement released in Abuja, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris rejected the accusation. He insisted that the rescue followed coordinated security operations and intelligence work. Moreover, he stressed that the government maintains a strict policy against ransom payments.
“The federal government states that these allegations are completely false and baseless,” the statement read. “No ransom was paid, and no militant commanders were freed.”
The government was responding to a report by Agence France-Presse. The report cited unnamed intelligence sources. It alleged that millions of dollars were paid and two commanders were released.
Idris argued that the report relied on anonymous sources and contained contradictions. Furthermore, he described claims that ransom funds were flown by helicopter as fiction. The Department of State Services reportedly labeled the story “fake and laughable.”
President Bola Tinubu’s administration said Nigeria faces a “structured, profit-driven criminal enterprise.” Therefore, officials credited professional security operations for the safe return of up to 230 pupils and staff.
Despite the denial, opposition parties demanded more openness. The Peoples Democratic Party warned that any ransom deal would be “shameful and troubling.” Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress called for a full security briefing.
Members of the United States Congress reportedly raised concerns with President Donald Trump. They pointed to repeated attacks on Christian communities in parts of Nigeria.
Nigeria has battled mass kidnappings for years. In addition, extremist groups and criminal gangs have targeted schools and highways. A 2022 law banned ransom payments, with penalties of up to 15 years in prison.
