The Federal Government has rejected reports claiming it paid a huge ransom, to militant commanders, to secure the release of schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State.
the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement described the allegations as completely false and baseless, stating the allegations constitutes a disservice to the professionalism and integrity of Nigeria’s security forces.
The rebuttal followed a report by a news outlet AFP, citing at least three intelligence sources alleging that the government paid a huge ransom, with figures varying between N2 billion overall and up to N40 million per head.
Idris stressed that the successful rescue of the pupils, carried out without casualties, was the result of professional intelligence and operational precision
He urged the media to verify facts before publishing speculative reports that could embolden criminals or undermine troop morale.
The minister said the Office of the National Security Adviser, The Department of State Services, and the Leadership of the National Assembly have all publicly refuted claims of ransom payment.
