The Federal Government has dismissed media reports alleging that it paid a huge ransom and released militant commanders to secure the release of schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State.
In a statement issued by Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, the government described the claims as completely false and baseless, stressing that they undermine the professionalism and sacrifices of Nigeria’s security forces.
The government stated that no ransom was paid and no militant commanders were released.
The reports, attributed to unnamed intelligence sources and individuals said to be familiar with the talks, contradict official accounts from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the leadership of the National Assembly, all of whom have publicly refuted the allegations.
The statement also highlighted inconsistencies in the reports, including claims that ransom was delivered by helicopter and confirmed across borders, assertions the DSS dismissed as fictional and laughable.
The government reiterated that the successful rescue of the pupils, carried out without casualties, was the result of professional intelligence gathering and operational precision.
It further urged the media to verify facts before publication, warning that speculative reporting could embolden criminal networks and undermine troop morale.
