Federal Government Denies Paying Ransom for Release of Niger School Children
The Federal Government has firmly denied allegations that it paid ransom or released militant commanders to secure the freedom of schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State, describing the claims as false, baseless, and misleading.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the government’s attention had been drawn to a publication circulating in sections of the media and attributed to international wire services. The report alleged that a “huge” ransom was paid and that militant leaders were freed as part of negotiations to secure the pupils’ release.
The government categorically rejected the claims, stating that no ransom was paid and no militant commanders were released. It described the narrative as a disservice to the professionalism and integrity of Nigeria’s security forces, who continue to make sacrifices daily to safeguard the country.
According to the statement, the allegations were based entirely on anonymous “intelligence sources” and individuals said to be “familiar with the talks,” rather than verifiable, on-the-record accounts. In contrast, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the leadership of the National Assembly have all publicly refuted the claims of any ransom payment.
The Federal Government also pointed to what it described as glaring inconsistencies within the report itself, noting that it presented conflicting versions of the alleged ransom arrangement. It dismissed as fiction the claim that ransom was delivered by helicopter to insurgents, with cross-border confirmation of receipt, adding that the DSS had formally described the allegation as fake and laughable.
Emphasising the broader security context, the government said Nigeria is confronting a structured, profit-driven criminal enterprise and remains resolute in dismantling it. It maintained that the successful rescue of the pupils without casualties was the outcome of coordinated intelligence efforts and operational precision by security agencies.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to national security and urged media organisations to verify information thoroughly before publication. It warned that speculative reporting could embolden criminal elements, undermine troop morale, and erode public confidence in state institutions.