FG Denies Paying Ransom or Releasing Militants for Niger Schoolchildren’s Rescue

The Federal Government has rejected claims that it paid a ransom or released militant commanders to secure the release of schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State.

In a statement on Tuesday, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris described the reports circulating in some media outlets and international wire services as “completely false and baseless.”

The minister emphasized that such allegations undermine the professionalism and dedication of Nigeria’s security forces, who continue to make daily sacrifices in the fight against insecurity. He stated clearly:

“For the avoidance of doubt, no ransom was paid, and no militant commanders were freed.”

Idris noted that while the government respects press freedom, the reports relied on anonymous “intelligence sources” and individuals “familiar with the talks,” rather than official statements from recognized authorities.

He highlighted that the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the leadership of the National Assembly had all publicly dismissed the ransom claims.

The statement also criticized contradictions within the reports, including the claim that ransom was delivered by helicopter with cross-border confirmation, an allegation the DSS described as “fake and laughable.”

The government reaffirmed that the rescue of the students without casualties was achieved through careful intelligence gathering and professional operational planning, not by paying kidnappers.

Reiterating its commitment to national security, the Federal Government urged media organizations to verify information before publication, warning that speculative reporting could embolden criminals and weaken troop morale.