Nigerian Government Denies Paying Ransom for Kidnapped Pupils

The Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, has officially refuted allegations that it paid a multimillion-dollar ransom to secure the release of 230 pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary's Secondary and Primary School in Niger State on November 21.

The claims, reported by AFP, suggested that a significant sum was paid to facilitate the release of the hostages, which included nearly 300 individuals initially taken by gunmen. The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State, Rev.

Bulu Dauwa Yohanna, was cited in the report, which referenced four intelligence sources familiar with the negotiations. However, the Minister of Information, Idri, criticized the report as relying on unnamed sources and lacking credible evidence.

He emphasized that Nigeria is facing a structural, profit-driven criminal enterprise and that the successful rescue of the pupils was achieved without casualties. The government reiterated its stance that no ransom was paid and that no insurgents were released in connection with the rescue operation.