What You Need to Know
The Nigerian government has denied reports claiming it paid a substantial ransom to Boko Haram for the release of over 200 kidnapped students and staff from a Catholic school. The Minister of Information described the allegations as completely false and damaging to the integrity of security forces, asserting that no ransom was paid and that all hostages were rescued safely.
Africa-Press. The Nigerian government has rejected a media report claiming it paid a “substantial” ransom to Boko Haram for the release of over 200 students and staff kidnapped from a Catholic boarding school in November.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris described the allegation, published by a local source citing intelligence sources, as “completely false and baseless” and “damaging to the professionalism and integrity” of security forces. He also denied the release of two Boko Haram leaders as part of any deal.
Some analysts cited by the local source believe the kidnapping from St. Mary’s School in Babiri, Niger State, was led by a Boko Haram commander known as “Sadiku,” who has previously been linked to other high-profile kidnappings and attacks.
While Boko Haram remains primarily active in northeastern Borno State, where it began its insurgency in 2009, splinter factions and other criminal networks operate in vast areas of northwestern and central Nigeria.
Days before Christmas, it was announced that security forces had rescued all remaining students and staff kidnapped by armed men from St. Mary’s School on November 21.
In a furious response to the local source’s report, the Information Minister stated that the agency’s claims relied entirely on “unknown, vague sources” and contradicted official statements from intelligence agencies and senior lawmakers.
One source cited by the local source claimed the ransom was around 40 million naira (approximately $30,000, £22,000) per captive, while another source indicated a total payment of 2 billion naira (approximately $1.5 million). The report also alleged that the money was flown to Boko Haram’s stronghold in Gwoza, Borno State, and handed over to a local commander.
Idris stated, “The claim of delivering ransom by helicopter to the rebels, with confirmation of receipt across the border, is pure fantasy.” He added that the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria’s internal intelligence agency, “rejected this claim and described it as false and ridiculous.” The minister continued, stating that Nigeria “faces an organized criminal organization driven by profit.”
He added, “The successful rescue of the students, without any injuries, was the result of professional intelligence efforts and operational precision.” A law passed in 2022 criminalizes ransom payments, but enforcement is challenging, and families often resort to paying ransoms to ensure the release of their relatives.
Security experts, whose statements have appeared in local reports, have long asserted that official denials do not necessarily reflect the complexity of ongoing negotiations behind the scenes. This issue arises at a sensitive time for Abuja, as the government is under diplomatic scrutiny, particularly from the United States.
On Monday, a delegation from the U.S. Congress presented a report containing comprehensive recommendations aimed at addressing what it described as the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The proposals were presented at the White House by Republican Riley Moore, who stated that the report came after months of fieldwork, hearings with experts, consultations with religious leaders, and discussions with displaced communities in central Nigeria.
He added, “I traveled with a bipartisan delegation to Nigeria and witnessed firsthand the horrific atrocities faced by Christians and the instability that the Nigerian government must combat.”
The report called for a new bilateral security agreement, the imposition of sanctions, and other reforms, including a ban on Nigerian beef exports to force armed herder groups to disarm. It also proposed legal reforms to protect religious freedom in Nigeria.
The Nigerian government has not yet issued any response to these recommendations, which stem from concerns raised by the administration of former President Donald Trump late last year regarding the treatment of Christians in Nigeria.
Trump claimed that there is “genocide” against Christians occurring in the country, a claim that the Nigerian government has strongly rejected, asserting that Muslims, Christians, and non-religious individuals are all victims of attacks.
Boko Haram, an Islamist militant group, has been active in Nigeria since 2009, primarily in the northeastern region. The group is notorious for its abductions, including the infamous kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014. Despite ongoing military efforts, Boko Haram and its splinter groups continue to pose significant security challenges across various regions of Nigeria, particularly in the northwest and central areas, where criminal networks have also emerged.
