Federal Gov’t Denies Paying Ransom For Abducted Niger School Children

The federal government has dismissed as false and baseless reports alleging that it paid a huge ransom, including the release of militant commanders, to secure the freedom of schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State.

In a statement issued to journalists yesterday in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the claims—attributed to unnamed international sources—as a disservice to the professionalism and integrity of Nigeria’s security forces.

He stated unequivocally that no ransom was paid and no militant commanders were released in the process of securing the pupils’ freedom.

“The allegations are completely false and baseless,” the minister said, adding that the narrative relied on anonymous “intelligence sources” and individuals “familiar with the talks,” rather than verifiable, on-the-record statements from constituted authorities.

According to him, the 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 further noted that the report contained contradictions, particularly regarding the alleged mode and amount of ransom, which he said exposed its speculative nature and lack of credibility.

He described as “fiction” the claim that ransom was delivered by helicopter to insurgents with cross-border confirmation of receipt, stating that the DSS had formally dismissed the assertion as fake and laughable.

The government maintained that the successful rescue of the pupils without casualties was the result of coordinated intelligence gathering and operational precision by security agencies.

Reaffirming its commitment to national security, the Federal Government urged media organisations to verify information before publication, warning that speculative reports could embolden criminal elements and undermine the morale of security personnel.