The Federal Government of Nigeria on Tuesday dismissed as false and baseless claims that it paid a ransom to secure the release of schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State.
In a statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasized that no ransom was paid and no militant commanders were freed, noting that such allegations undermine the professionalism and sacrifices of Nigeria’s security forces.
He added that the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, and the leadership of the National Assembly have all publicly refuted the claims.
The Minister stressed that the allegations rely entirely on anonymous intelligence sources and unnamed individuals allegedly familiar with the negotiations, contrasting sharply with official, on-the-record denials issued by constituted authorities.
He further affirmed that all relevant security and government agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, and the leadership of the National Assembly, have consistently and publicly refuted any claims of ransom payment or the release of militant commanders.
