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A report by global news agency, AFP, has alleged that the administration of President Bola Tinubu secretly paid billions of naira to Boko Haram terrorists to secure the release of nearly 230 kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers — in direct violation of Nigeria’s anti-ransom laws.
According to AFP, the controversial payment followed the November 21 abduction of pupils and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Papiri, Niger State.
The mass kidnapping, which initially involved close to 300 victims, shocked the nation. At least 50 reportedly escaped from captivity.
Intelligence sources cited by AFP disclosed that the Nigerian government paid a huge ransom — with figures ranging from N2billion to as high as N10 billion — to secure the children’s freedom.
One source claimed the government paid approximately N40 million per hostage, estimating the total at around $7 million. Others pegged the figure at N2 billion
The funds were allegedly transported by helicopter into Boko Haram’s enclave in Gwoza, Borno State, near the Cameroon border. The money was said to have been handed over to Ali Ngulde, a senior Boko Haram commander.
Due to poor communications in the remote region, Ngulde reportedly crossed into Cameroon to confirm receipt of the ransom before the first batch of 100 children was released.
The investigation fingered a feared Boko Haram figure known as Sadiku as the mastermind of the kidnapping.
Sadiku, already infamous for hijacking a passenger train from Abuja in 2022 and extracting hefty ransoms, allegedly operates a terror cell in Niger State despite the group’s traditional stronghold in the northeast.
Two Boko Haram commanders were also reportedly freed as part of the negotiations — a move likely to provoke outrage among security analysts and international partners.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly denied paying any ransom.
Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) insisted, “Government agents don’t pay ransoms.”
However, four intelligence sources familiar with the negotiations contradicted this official position, telling AFP that the payment was indeed made after intense back-channel talks led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The negotiations reportedly lasted two weeks before the captives were freed.
The revelation could create diplomatic tensions with the United States.
President Donald Trump had previously ordered airstrikes on jihadist targets in northern Nigeria on Christmas Day and deployed military trainers to assist Nigerian forces.
A confirmed ransom deal with Boko Haram would directly contradict Nigeria’s publicly stated counterterrorism stance and may undermine international military cooperation.
Nigeria criminalised ransom payments in 2022, making it illegal for individuals or institutions to pay kidnappers. The alleged government payout, if confirmed, would represent a dramatic breach of that law.
The country has been plagued by mass kidnappings for years, with armed gangs and jihadist groups exploiting weak security architecture to extort millions from families and communities.
As of press time, the Presidency has not issued a fresh statement responding directly to the AFP investigation.
