The Federal Government has dismissed reports alleging that it paid a large ransom and released militant commanders to secure the freedom of pupils abducted from St Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State, describing the claims as unfounded.
It said the narrative, attributed to unnamed intelligence sources and circulated by international wire services, undermines the credibility of security agencies and disregards the risks involved in ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
The government maintained that the operation to secure the pupils’ freedom was carried out lawfully and professionally, stressing that anonymous briefings should not override official statements issued by relevant authorities.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the allegations as “completely false and baseless.”
“While we respect the freedom of the press, we firmly reject a narrative built on shadowy, unnamed sources seeking to undermine the credibility of a sovereign government acting within its laws,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no ransom was paid, and no militant commanders were freed,” Idris added.
The minister noted that the reports relied on unnamed “intelligence sources” and individuals “familiar with the talks,” despite denials by the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, and the leadership of the National Assembly.
He also faulted what he described as inconsistencies in the account, dismissing as “fiction” claims that ransom was delivered by helicopter to insurgents with cross-border confirmation of receipt. The DSS, he added, had labelled the allegation “fake and laughable.”
According to the statement, the pupils from St Mary’s Boarding School in Papiri were recovered without casualties through coordinated intelligence and operational precision, not through any financial exchange.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to national security and urged media organisations to verify information before publication, warning that speculative reports could embolden criminal groups and weaken troop morale.
