The Nigerian government has firmly denied paying a ransom to the Boko Haram terrorist group in exchange for the release of 230 students kidnapped last November in Niger State. This denial follows an investigation by Agence France-Presse (AFP) alleging that the government paid $7 million and freed two Boko Haram commanders to secure the students' release.
The abduction of the 230 students from St. Mary's Catholic School in Papiri on November 23, 2025, sparked widespread outrage in Nigeria. According to AFP, informed sources revealed that the ransom money was allegedly transported by helicopter to Gwoza, a Boko Haram stronghold located in Borno State, near the border with Cameroon.
Mohammed Idris, the Nigerian Minister of Information and National Orientation, described these allegations as "completely false and baseless". He added that such reports undermine the professionalism and integrity of Nigeria's security forces, who have been engaged in the fight against Boko Haram for over a decade. Idris insisted that the students' release was the result of coordinated intelligence work and a surgically precise operation.
The Nigerian government has taken a tough stance against paying ransoms, even enacting a law in 2022 criminalizing the practice, punishable by prison sentences of up to 15 years. However, Nigeria is grappling with a surge in mass abductions, fueled by criminal and jihadist groups.
Despite official denials, intelligence sources persist in claiming that a ransom was paid. The amounts mentioned vary, ranging from 2 billion naira to 40 million naira per hostage, totaling approximately $7 million. The AFP investigation highlights the contradictions between official statements and information from anonymous sources, shedding light on the complexity of the security situation in Nigeria.
The Nigerian government maintains that the students' release was obtained without concessions to the kidnappers and calls on the media to exercise caution in the face of unverified information.
