A bandit kingpin has punctured a denial by the Nigerian government that no ransom was paid for the release of some abducted schoolchildren in Niger State, insisting that they were paid the sum of ₦60 million before the girls were released.
Recall that the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, had in a statement on Tuesday, dismissed reports which alleged that the government had paid a huge ransom and released militant commanders to secure the freedom of the pupils who were abducted from St. Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State in November 2025, describing the claims as false and baseless.
In its report, the French international news agency, AFP had cited intelligence sources familiar with the negotiations who claimed that a huge sum was paid to secure the release of the schoolchildren. The report further alleged that two Boko Haram commanders were released as part of the agreement, despite existing Nigerian laws prohibiting ransom payments to kidnappers and terrorists while the funds were transported by helicopter to Gwoza in Borno State, a known Boko Haram stronghold near the Cameroon border.
But, in the statement denying the allegations, the Minister said they were unfounded, saying the Federal Government did not pay any ransom for the release of the hostages. “The Federal Government states that these allegations are completely false and baseless, and constitute a disservice to the professionalism and integrity of Nigeria’s security forces and the sacrifices they make daily”, he stated.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no ransom was paid, and no militant commanders were freed. The allegations rely entirely on anonymous intelligence sources and individuals familiar with the talks, in contrast to the clear and on-the-record denials issued by constituted authorities. The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the leadership of the National Assembly have all publicly refuted claims of ransom payment”.
However, the bandit kingpin who was responding to questions from an unseen man, insisted that the Government paid them ₦60 million to secure the release of the kidnapped victims. Speaking in Hausa, he said their initial demand was ₦100 million, but that following negotiations, the amount was reduced to ₦60 million, which was handed over to them before the girls were released. “Initially, we demanded a ransom of ₦100 million, but after several rounds of talks and negotiations, they reduced the amount to ₦60 million, which they paid us”, he stated.
When the interviewer then asked: “Did you see the 60 million with your eyes?”, the bandit leader responded: “Yes, I saw the money. I was one of those who received the money”.
And when the interviewer asked: “And what did you do with the money?” the interviewer replied: “We used the money to buy more rifles. If you had come earlier, I would have asked my boys to bring out some of the rifles for you to see and confirm”.
