By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
The Nigerian Government has dismissed claims that it paid ransom or released militant commanders to secure the freedom of students abducted from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger State.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the reports as false and baseless, insisting that no ransom was paid and no detainees were freed in connection with the incident.
Heritage Times HT recalls that about 300 students and 12 teachers were kidnapped by gunmen but regained their freedom on December 22, 2025.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Idris said the Federal Government’s attention had been drawn to a publication attributed to international wire services alleging that a “huge” ransom was paid, including the release of militant commanders, to facilitate the students’ release.
He rejected the narrative, saying it was built on anonymous and unverifiable sources and undermined the professionalism and integrity of Nigeria’s security agencies. According to him, constituted authorities, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, and the leadership of the National Assembly, had publicly refuted the allegations.
The minister pointed to what he described as contradictions in the report, including conflicting accounts of the alleged ransom, arguing that such inconsistencies weakened its credibility. He also dismissed claims that ransom was delivered by helicopter with cross-border confirmation, labelling the account fictitious.
Idris maintained that the successful rescue of the pupils without casualties was the result of coordinated intelligence gathering and precise security operations. He noted that Nigeria is currently confronting an organised, profit-driven criminal network and stressed that security agencies remain committed to dismantling such groups.
He urged media organisations to verify information before publication, warning that unsubstantiated reports could embolden criminal elements and dampen the morale of security personnel.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, assuring Nigerians that efforts to combat insecurity would continue with transparency and accountability.
