AFP has alleged that the Tinubu administration paid up to ₦10 billion and released Boko Haram commanders to secure the freedom of abducted St. Mary’s schoolchildren, a claim Nigerian authorities have not officially confirmed.
The government of President Bola Tinubu paid about ₦10 billion and released two senior Boko Haram commanders to secure the freedom of abducted pupils and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State, Agence France-Presse reported on Monday.
Citing multiple intelligence sources, AFP said the ransom was delivered to the insurgents’ stronghold in Gwoza, Borno State, after negotiations led by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
According to AFP, “the total ransom at N40 million per head — around $7 million in total”, while “another put the figure lower at N2 billion overall”. The report stated that the money was transported by helicopter and handed to a Boko Haram commander, after which 100 children were released. The $7 million reportedly covered about 230 pupils and staff kidnapped in November 2025, though official figures vary.
While government officials had earlier described the children’s return as a rescue operation, AFP claimed the deal contravened Nigeria’s law prohibiting ransom payments to kidnappers.
The President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, did not respond to requests for comment, while the NSA’s office maintained it had secured hostage releases without paying ransom. The State Security Service reiterated that the government does not pay ransoms.
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