Fed Govt tackles ADC over alleged N10 billion ransom to kidnappers
The Federal Government has denied reports that it paid more than N10 billion in ransom or released militant commanders to secure the freedom of pupils and staff abducted from St.
- Minister insists no payment made in rescue of Niger pupils, others
- ADC seeks clarification on alleged deal
The Federal Government has denied reports that it paid more than N10 billion in ransom or released militant commanders to secure the freedom of pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s School, Papiri, Niger State.
About 300 students and 12 teachers were kidnapped by gunmen in the December 2025 attack but were released on December 22.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described as “false and baseless” claims circulating in sections of the international media that the government paid a huge ransom and freed two senior Boko Haram commanders to secure the release.
According to him, no ransom was paid and no detainees were released.
Idris said the allegations, attributed to unnamed intelligence sources, undermine the professionalism and sacrifices of Nigeria’s security forces. He noted that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the leadership of the National Assembly had all publicly refuted the claims.
Read Also: JUST IN: Gunmen attack Peter Obi, Oyegun, ADC chiefs in Edo
He also dismissed reports alleging that ransom was delivered by helicopter to insurgents, describing the narrative as fictitious and inconsistent.
The minister maintained that the pupils’ rescue was achieved through coordinated intelligence and operational efforts, stressing that the government remains committed to tackling what he described as a structured, profit-driven criminal enterprise. He urged the media to verify facts before publishing reports capable of emboldening criminals or dampening troop morale.
However, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) called on the Federal Government to clarify the allegations.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said it had reviewed international reports alleging that over N10 billion was paid and two senior insurgent commanders released as part of negotiations.
The ADC recalled that shortly after the victims’ release, the Federal Government and security agencies denied paying ransom, with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, reportedly describing ransom payments as “one of the worst things” fueling insecurity.
The party cited the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which criminalises ransom payments and negotiations with terrorists, warning that any confirmed payment would raise serious concerns about terrorism financing, the rule of law and public safety.
“Nigeria cannot claim to discourage ransom payments while acting in a way that, if confirmed, rewards terror networks and incentivises further abductions,” the party said.
It urged the government to issue a categorical statement clarifying whether any ransom was paid, directly or indirectly, and whether any detainees were released in connection with the Papiri abduction.
The ADC warned that inconsistency on the issue could undermine public confidence and worsen insecurity.
