Nigerian govt reacts to claim of ransom payment in rescue of abducted Niger schoolchildren

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Nigerian government on Tuesday denied claim that it paid N2 billion as ransom and released two commanders of a terrorist group to secure freedom for the schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s boarding school in Niger State last November.

The claims, published in a report by a foreign media organization, was denied in a statement by Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

Nigerian government described the claim as completely false and baseless in the statement.

It also added that the claim “constitute a disservice to the professionalism and integrity of Nigeria’s security forces and the sacrifices they make daily.”

“While we respect the freedom of the press, we firmly reject a narrative built on shadowy, unnamed sources seeking to undermine the credibility of a sovereign government acting within its laws. For the avoidance of doubt, no ransom was paid, and no militant commanders were freed,” Mohammed said.

The Minister further noted that 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 noted that Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the leadership of the National Assembly have all publicly refuted claims of ransom payment.

The Minister also pointed out what he described as contradictions that expose the speculative character and sharply conflicting accounts regarding the alleged ransom in the report.

“Such inconsistency underscores a lack of direct knowledge and undermines the credibility of the claims. The assertion that ransom was delivered by helicopter to insurgents, with cross-border confirmation of receipt, is fiction. The DSS has formally dismissed this claim as fake and laughable,” Mohammed said.

He added that Nigeria is confronting a structured, profit-driven criminal enterprise and successful rescue of the pupils, without casualty, was the result of professional intelligence and operational precision.

“The Federal Government remains unwavering in its commitment to security and urges the media to verify facts before publishing speculative reports that risk emboldening criminals or undermining troop morale”

Recall that terrorists had abducted more than 300 students and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Niger State last November.

However, the schoolchildren were later rescued in two batches.