The Federal Government on Tuesday denied reports that it paid N10 billion and released top Boko Haram commanders to secure the freedom of abducted pupils and teachers of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State, insisting that the rescue was achieved through professional intelligence and operational precision.
The government was reacting to a report by Agence France Presse (AFP) which alleged that a huge ransom was paid and two senior insurgent commanders were freed before the victims regained their freedom. However, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the claims as false and baseless.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Idris said the publication, which relied on unnamed intelligence sources, undermined the professionalism and sacrifices of Nigeria’s security forces. He maintained that no ransom was paid and no militant commanders were released to facilitate the rescue.
“The Federal Government states that these allegations are completely false and baseless,” the minister said, emphasizing that the successful operation was carried out without casualties through coordinated intelligence gathering and operational precision.
He further faulted the report for presenting conflicting ransom figures. While one source allegedly put the ransom at N40 million per victim—about $7 million in total, another reportedly claimed it was N2 billion. Idris described such inconsistencies as evidence of speculation.
The minister also dismissed as fiction the claim that ransom was delivered by helicopter, noting that the Department of State Services (DSS) had formally rejected the allegation as fake and laughable.
Despite the government’s clarification, concerns have continued to trail the operation, particularly over the fate of the terrorists responsible for the abduction.
Many Nigerians have expressed worry that while the victims were safely rescued, there has been no clear statement on whether the kidnappers were apprehended or neutralized, raising questions about deterrence and future security.
About 300 pupils and teachers of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, were abducted on November 20. While 50 pupils escaped between November 21 and 22, the government later announced the rescue of 100 victims.
On December 21, 2025, authorities confirmed the release of the remaining 130 pupils and teachers, bringing the total number of freed victims to 230.
Observers insist that beyond the safe return of the victims, Nigerians deserve assurances that those behind the heinous act will be brought to justice to prevent a recurrence.
