The Nigerian government allegedly paid a ransom running into millions of dollars to secure the release of up to 230 pupils and staff abducted from a Catholic school in November 2025, intelligence sources told AFP.
The victims were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Boarding School in Papiri, Niger State, on November 21.
While at least 50 later escaped, the remaining captives were freed after about two weeks of negotiations reportedly led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Four intelligence sources familiar with the negotiations claimed the government paid a substantial ransom to militants linked to Boko Haram and released two commanders as part of the deal.
According to three sources, the ransom was transported by helicopter to the militants’ stronghold in Gwoza, near the Cameroon border, and delivered to a commander identified as Ali Ngulde.
Due to communication challenges in the remote area, Ngulde reportedly crossed into Cameroon to confirm receipt before an initial group of 100 children was released.
One source estimated the payment at about ₦40 million per captive roughly $7 million in total while another placed the overall figure closer to ₦2 billion.
The Office of the National Security Adviser did not respond to requests for comment.
The Department of State Services (DSS) denied that any ransom was paid, insisting government agents do not pay ransoms, though it acknowledged authorities cannot prevent families from paying to secure the release of relatives.
Another state security spokesperson dismissed claims that ransom was delivered by helicopter as “fake news.”
However, a security analyst in Zamfara State, an area plagued by kidnappings, argued that captives are rarely released without payment, particularly in high-profile cases involving schoolchildren.
Insurgency and Legal Context
Sources alleged a commander known as Sadiku orchestrated the attack, though the group had not formally claimed responsibility.
Conflict researcher Vincent Foucher of France’s National Centre for Scientific Research said the allegation aligns with Sadiku’s past activities.
Nigeria criminalised ransom payments in 2022, prescribing prison terms of up to 15 years. Despite the law, kidnapping for ransom remains widespread.
According to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), 828 abductions were recorded over the past year, many involving multiple victims.
Authorities have not officially confirmed the ransom claims.
AFP.
