Nigeria Denies Ransom Payment for Abducted Schoolchildren

The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially responded to media reports alleging that it paid a substantial ransom to secure the release of schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary's Boarding School in Niger State.

In a statement issued by the Minister of Information, the government described these claims as entirely false and unfounded, asserting that they undermine the professionalism of the country's security forces, who sacrifice daily for the nation's safety. The government firmly rejected the narrative built on anonymous sources, emphasizing that no ransom was paid and that the alleged military command's actions were based on credible intelligence.

The statement highlighted contradictions in the ransom payment claims, noting that the reports themselves revealed inconsistencies and lacked direct knowledge. The Department of State Services (DSS) also formally dismissed the claims as fake and laughable, reiterating the government's commitment to security and urging media outlets to verify facts before publishing speculative reports that could embolden criminal enterprises and undermine troop morale.