Despite 2022 amendment to the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013 prescribing a minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment for anyone who pays ransom to free kidnap victims, investigation by Agence France-Presse (AFP) has revealed that the federal government paid a multimillion-dollar ransom to secure the release of up to 230 pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Secondary and Primary School, Papiri, Niger State.
The abduction occurred on November 21, 2025 at the Catholic school, where nearly 300 pupils and staff were taken.
Nigerian government officials have consistently denied paying any ransom. The Department of State Services (DSS) previously stated that “government agents don’t pay ransoms.”
However, AFP cited four intelligence sources familiar with the negotiations who claimed that a huge sum was paid to secure the hostages’ freedom. One source estimated the amount at about N40 million per person, totalling roughly $7 million, while another placed the figure at about N2 billion overall.
The report further alleged that two Boko Haram commanders were released as part of the agreement.
According to AFP, the funds were transported by helicopter to Gwoza in Borno State, a known Boko Haram stronghold near the Cameroon border.
Three sources told the news agency the money was delivered to a commander identified as Ali Ngulde. Due to limited communications coverage in the remote area, he reportedly crossed into Cameroon to confirm receipt before the first group of about 100 children was released.
While Boko Haram’s insurgency has largely been concentrated in the northeast since 2009, AFP reported that a faction led by a commander known as Sadiku was responsible for the Niger State abduction. Sadiku has previously been linked to high-profile attacks, including the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
Negotiations for the release of the abducted pupils were reportedly led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Authorities maintained throughout the process that no ransom was paid. The federal government has not officially responded to the specific claims raised in the AFP investigation.
