Fresh controversy has trailed the December 2025 release of pupils and staff of St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, Nigeria, following a report alleging that the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid N2 billion to secure their freedom from Boko Haram insurgents.
According to AFP, which cited multiple intelligence sources, the terrorists initially demanded $7 million, said to be N40 million per captive, in exchange for the release of about 230 pupils and staff abducted from the school in November 2025. While the exact figure allegedly paid remains disputed, some sources claimed the government eventually settled on N2 billion as part of a negotiated deal.
The mass abduction occurred on November 21, 2025, in Papiri, central Niger State, where nearly 300 victims were reportedly taken during the attack. About 50 of them managed to escape in the immediate aftermath, leaving over 200 in captivity.
On December 22, 2025, Nigerian officials announced what they described as a successful rescue operation, celebrating the return of the pupils and staff. However, AFP’s report suggests the release may have followed behind-the-scenes negotiations rather than a purely military operation.
Three intelligence sources told the news agency that the ransom money was allegedly flown by helicopter to Gwoza in Borno State, a known Boko Haram enclave in northeastern Nigeria. The funds were said to have been delivered to a militant commander identified as Ali Ngulde.
Because of poor telecommunications coverage in the area, the commander reportedly crossed into neighbouring Cameroon to confirm receipt of the money before the insurgents released an initial batch of 100 children.
In addition to the alleged financial payment, the report claimed that the government agreed to release certain Boko Haram commanders as part of the arrangement — an assertion that could further fuel debate over Nigeria’s counterterrorism policy.
The Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), which was reportedly involved in negotiations for about two weeks, declined to comment when contacted by AFP. The State Security Service (SSS) reiterated the government’s longstanding position that it does not pay ransom to terrorist groups.
Successive Nigerian administrations have maintained an official policy against ransom payments, arguing that such actions embolden insurgents and finance further attacks. However, security analysts have often pointed to the complexity of hostage crises, where authorities face immense public pressure to ensure the safe return of victims.
Boko Haram has been responsible for some of Nigeria’s deadliest insurgent attacks, including the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction that drew global outrage. The group continues to operate in parts of northeastern Nigeria despite years of military operations.
