FG Denies N2 Billion Ransom for St. Mary’s School Students

The Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by Minister Mohammed Idris, dismissed claims that it paid a N2 billion ransom for the release of students abducted from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger State.

Idris described the allegations as false and baseless, asserting that the government's policy against ransom payments remains unchanged. This denial follows reports from the AFP, which faced backlash from opposition parties, including the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who demanded transparency regarding the circumstances of the students' release.

The government clarified that the rescue operation was conducted through coordinated security interventions and intelligence gathering, not financial inducements. Furthermore, the Department of State Services (DSS) formally rejected the claims, emphasizing the need for credible information and refuting any suggestion of ransom payments.

The situation highlights ongoing concerns regarding security and the risks posed by criminal enterprises operating in Nigeria.