The Federal Government has firmly denied allegations that it paid a N2 billion ransom to secure the release of pupils and staff of St. Mary’s School, Papiri, in Niger State.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the claim as “completely false and baseless,” insisting that the government’s longstanding policy against ransom payments remains unchanged.
The minister was reacting to an international report alleging that a substantial ransom, and even the release of militant commanders, formed part of negotiations to free the abducted pupils. Idris said the rescue was achieved through coordinated security operations, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency collaboration — not financial inducement.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no ransom was paid, and no militant commanders were freed,” the statement said, adding that security agencies including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services had publicly refuted the claims.
The government also dismissed assertions that ransom money was delivered by helicopter to insurgents, describing the allegation as speculative and unsupported by verifiable evidence. It stressed that Nigeria is confronting a “structured, profit-driven criminal enterprise” and that the successful rescue operation reflected operational precision.
Opposition Parties Raise Concerns
Despite the government’s denial, opposition parties have called for greater transparency.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) demanded a categorical explanation from authorities, stating that any ransom payment — direct or indirect — would contradict the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, which criminalises negotiations and ransom payments to kidnappers and terrorists.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party warned that alleged payments at such scale could undermine counter-terrorism efforts and incentivise future abductions.
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described reports of ransom payments as “shameful and troubling,” arguing that such actions could legitimise criminality and fuel insecurity. The party urged the federal government to clarify the circumstances surrounding the release of the victims and to fully implement existing anti-terror financing laws.
International Dimension
The controversy has drawn international attention. Members of the United States Congress reportedly submitted a security brief to President Donald Trump expressing concern over Nigeria’s security situation, including persistent attacks in parts of the country. The report recommended closer monitoring and stronger security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
Responding to concerns about religious persecution raised in the submission, Idris reaffirmed that Nigeria has no state policy of religious persecution. He maintained that ongoing violence in parts of the country stems from terrorism, organised criminality, and communal tensions — not government bias.
The minister added that counter-terrorism operations have intensified in affected regions, including expanded forest surveillance, improved intelligence sharing, and enhanced military deployments aimed at dismantling armed networks and protecting vulnerable communities.
Renewed Debate Over Kidnapping Crisis
Kidnapping for ransom remains a major security challenge across several regions of Nigeria. Over the past decade, criminal gangs and insurgent groups have targeted schools, highways, and rural communities, exploiting gaps in policing and local intelligence.
While the government insists that no ransom was paid in the Papiri case, opposition parties and civil society actors continue to press for transparency to dispel public suspicion and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism framework.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding citizens and urged the media to verify information before publishing reports that could undermine security operations or embolden criminal groups.
