AFP has reported, citing multiple intelligence sources, that the Federal Government paid N2 billion and agreed to release Boko Haram commanders to secure the freedom of abducted pupils and staff of St Mary’s Catholic School, a claim the government has not publicly admitted.
The Federal Government allegedly paid N2 billion to Boko Haram in exchange for the release of 230 pupils and staff of St Mary’s Catholic School kidnapped in November, according to a report by Agence France-Presse citing multiple intelligence sources. The report further claimed that authorities agreed to release some Boko Haram commanders as part of the arrangement. On December 22, 2025, officials had announced what they described as rescue efforts leading to the safe return of the victims, but AFP reported that sources presented a different account of events.
According to three sources quoted in the report, the money was transported by helicopter to the insurgents’ stronghold in Gwoza, northeastern Borno State, and handed over to Ali Ngulde, identified as a militant commander in the area. Due to poor network coverage, Ngulde reportedly crossed into Cameroon to confirm receipt of the funds before the militants released 100 children. The mass abduction occurred on November 21, 2025, in Papiri, central Niger State, involving nearly 300 victims, about 50 of whom escaped during the incident.
The government has not publicly acknowledged paying any ransom to the group, which has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks, including the 2014 Chibok abduction. While the exact sum paid remains unclear, the report stated that after two weeks of negotiations involving the Office of the National Security Adviser, intelligence sources indicated the insurgents initially demanded N40 million per victim, amounting to $7 million, though others said the government eventually settled on N2 billion.