Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Carmen Diego
The Federal Government has firmly denied allegations that it paid ransom to militant commanders to secure the release of schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s boarding school in Niger State, describing the claims as false, baseless and damaging to the credibility of Nigeria’s security institutions. The rebuttal comes amid renewed public scrutiny over the government’s handling of kidnapping crises in parts of northern Nigeria.
In a detailed statement issued in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, rejected assertions that negotiations with armed groups involved financial inducements or the release of detained militant leaders. He stated unequivocally that no ransom was paid and no militant commanders were freed as part of efforts to secure the safe return of the abducted pupils.
The abduction in question occurred at St. Mary’s boarding school in Niger State, one of several high-profile mass kidnappings that have targeted educational institutions in recent years. Armed men stormed the school in a late-night raid, taking dozens of students into captivity and sparking nationwide concern. Security agencies subsequently launched coordinated rescue operations while officials maintained that the government would not capitulate to criminal demands.
The minister characterized reports of ransom payments as speculative narratives built on anonymous intelligence sources and unnamed individuals allegedly familiar with behind-the-scenes negotiations. He argued that such accounts lack verifiable evidence and stand in direct contradiction to on-the-record statements from constitutionally recognized authorities.
According to Idris, multiple institutions involved in the response to the kidnapping have publicly refuted the allegations. He cited statements from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, and the leadership of the National Assembly, all of which have denied any ransom transaction or negotiated release of militant figures. These agencies, he said, have been consistent in maintaining that operational tactics deployed in the rescue effort were in line with established national security protocols.
The controversy follows a broader pattern in which kidnapping-for-ransom has become a lucrative criminal enterprise in parts of Nigeria. Armed groups, often referred to locally as bandits, have targeted schools, highways, and rural communities, exploiting security gaps and limited state presence in certain regions. International observers and human rights groups have repeatedly urged Nigerian authorities to strengthen preventive measures and improve rapid-response capabilities.
In his statement, the minister stressed that the professionalism and integrity of Nigeria’s security forces should not be undermined by unsubstantiated allegations. He described the claims as a disservice to officers who risk their lives daily to protect civilians. He also warned that the spread of misinformation could embolden criminal networks by suggesting that ransom payments are a viable outcome.
The federal government has long maintained a policy stance against paying ransom to kidnappers, arguing that such payments incentivize further abductions. While critics have questioned whether that policy has always been consistently applied, officials insist that operational decisions prioritize the safe recovery of victims without empowering armed groups financially or politically.
Security analysts note that transparency around rescue operations is often limited by operational sensitivity. Authorities typically withhold tactical details to avoid compromising ongoing missions or revealing intelligence methods. This information gap can create space for speculation, particularly in high-profile cases involving schoolchildren. The latest denial appears aimed at closing that gap and reinforcing official messaging.
The abduction of students in Niger State reignited memories of previous school kidnappings that drew global attention and condemnation. In several cases over the past decade, students were held for weeks or months before being released, sometimes under circumstances that fueled debate about whether ransom was involved. Government officials have consistently denied direct payments, though civil society organizations have called for greater disclosure.
Mohammed Idris reiterated that the current administration remains committed to strengthening internal security architecture. He pointed to expanded inter-agency coordination and intelligence-sharing frameworks designed to preempt attacks on vulnerable institutions, particularly schools in rural communities. He also emphasized that federal and state authorities are working together to implement protective measures under broader school safety initiatives.
The Department of State Services, one of Nigeria’s primary domestic intelligence agencies, has played a central role in counter-kidnapping operations. Its leadership has publicly affirmed that no detainees were released as part of any negotiation related to the Niger school incident. Similarly, representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser have rejected the suggestion that militant commanders were freed in exchange for the children’s release.
Within the National Assembly, lawmakers have called for continued oversight of security expenditures and operational effectiveness. Parliamentary leaders who addressed the issue echoed the executive branch’s denial, stating that they had received no briefing indicating that ransom funds were authorized or disbursed. Legislators also urged the public to rely on verified statements rather than anonymous leaks.
Public reaction to the denial has been mixed. Some citizens expressed relief at the firm stance, arguing that a clear rejection of ransom payments reinforces deterrence. Others, however, continue to demand independent verification and greater transparency in how rescue operations are conducted. Civil society groups have underscored the importance of balancing operational secrecy with public accountability.
The federal government’s latest statement reflects the delicate balance between safeguarding national security interests and maintaining public trust. By categorically rejecting claims of ransom payment and militant release, authorities seek to reinforce confidence in official narratives and deter misinformation that could erode institutional credibility.
As Nigeria continues to confront complex security challenges, including kidnapping, insurgency, and organized criminality, the government’s response to allegations of ransom payments remains a focal point of public discourse. For now, federal authorities insist that the rescue of the Niger schoolchildren was achieved without financial concession to armed groups, and that no militant commanders were granted freedom in the process.
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