FG denies paying N10bn ransom or releasing militants for St. Mary’s School hostages, stressing rescue achieved through security operations

Mohammed Idris has denied reports that the Federal Government paid more than N10 billion in ransom or released militant commanders to secure the freedom of pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s School, Papiri, Niger State.

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About 300 students and 12 teachers were kidnapped in December 2025 but were released on December 22.

In a statement on Tuesday, Idris described claims circulating in parts of the international media as “false and baseless,” stressing that no ransom was paid and no detainees were freed.

The minister said the allegations, attributed to unnamed intelligence sources, undermine the professionalism and sacrifices of Nigeria’s security forces.

He noted that the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, and the National Assembly had publicly refuted the reports.

Idris also dismissed suggestions that ransom was delivered by helicopter to insurgents, calling the narrative “fictitious and inconsistent.” He explained that the pupils’ rescue resulted from coordinated intelligence and operational efforts, and urged the media to verify facts before publishing reports that could embolden criminals or demoralise troops.

In response, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) urged the Federal Government to issue a categorical statement confirming whether any ransom was paid or detainees released.

The party, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, warned that any confirmed payment could raise serious concerns regarding terrorism financing, the rule of law, and public safety.

“Nigeria cannot claim to discourage ransom payments while acting in a way that rewards terror networks and incentivises further abductions,” the ADC said, citing the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

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The party stressed that inconsistent statements could undermine public confidence and exacerbate insecurity, urging clarity on the handling of the Papiri abduction.