The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for an independent investigation into reports that the Federal Government allegedly paid ransom to secure the release of abducted pupils of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State.
The demand comes amid a strong denial by the Federal Government, which described the allegations as “completely false and baseless.”
The controversy followed a report by international news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP), which alleged that the government paid Boko Haram militants millions of dollars to free up to 230 children and staff kidnapped from St. Mary’s Boarding School in November 2025.
The report further claimed that two militant commanders were released as part of the deal and that ransom payments ranging up to N2 billion – or about N40 million per victim – were delivered in cash by helicopter to insurgents in Gwoza, Borno State.
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the allegations, insisting that no ransom was paid and no militant commanders were freed.
“For the avoidance of doubt, no ransom was paid, and no militant commanders were released,” the statement read.
The government argued that the claims were based solely on anonymous intelligence sources and contradicted on-the-record statements from relevant authorities.
It also maintained that the successful rescue of the pupils was achieved through professional security operations led by the Office of the National Security Adviser and other agencies, not through negotiations or ransom payments.
The Department of State Services (DSS) was quoted as describing the helicopter cash-delivery allegation as “fake and laughable.”
ADC Raises Concern
However, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC warned that if the allegations were confirmed, they would undermine Nigeria’s counter-terrorism policy and contradict the government’s public stance against ransom payments.
The party recalled that shortly after the victims were released, the Federal Government and security agencies had denied paying ransom. It also referenced comments attributed to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who reportedly described ransom payments as one of the drivers of insecurity.
Citing the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, which criminalises negotiations and ransom payments to terrorists , the ADC questioned whether the government had secretly engaged insurgents while publicly denying such actions.
The party urged the Federal Government to provide a categorical clarification on whether any funds were paid, directly or indirectly, and whether any detainees were released as part of negotiations.
“No serious government will sacrifice national security principles on the altar of political expediency and short-term media applause,” the ADC said.
PDP Also Weighs In
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also called on the Federal Government to halt any form of ransom payment and adopt decisive strategies to curb kidnappings nationwide.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party expressed concern over reports alleging massive ransom payments under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The PDP referenced findings from the National Bureau of Statistics’ Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey 2024, which estimated that N2.3 trillion was paid in ransom between May 2023 and April 2024, and that over two million Nigerians were kidnapped within the period.
According to the party, paying ransom only strengthens criminal networks and fuels further abductions. It urged the government to prioritise tracking illicit financial flows and strengthening the Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell to combat kidnapping and terrorism more effectively.