A new report by the French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) has alleged that the Nigerian government paid ₦2 billion to secure the release of 230 abducted students from St. Mary’s Catholic School.
According to AFP, the payment was reportedly made in November during negotiations with the insurgent group Boko Haram. The report cites four unnamed sources said to be familiar with the negotiations.
The funds were allegedly delivered in cash via helicopter to Ali Ngulde, described in the report as a Boko Haram commander operating from Gwoza in Borno State, an area long considered a stronghold of the extremist group. The total amount reportedly equated to ₦40 million per student, amounting to roughly $7 million at prevailing exchange rates.
AFP further claimed that Ali Ngulde later travelled to Cameroon to confirm receipt of the funds to Nigerian authorities. Following the confirmation process, 100 of the abducted girls were reportedly released in exchange for some detained Boko Haram fighters. The remaining students were subsequently freed.
The Federal Government had earlier denied paying any ransom in connection with the abduction. Officials maintained that the rescue efforts were the result of security operations and negotiations, without publicly disclosing specific operational details.
The incident reportedly occurred in Papriri, Niger State, though the government has provided limited information about the precise circumstances surrounding the negotiations and release.
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AFP stated that it contacted the Office of the National Security Adviser, headed by Nuhu Ribadu, for official comments on the allegations. As of the time of the report’s publication, no response had been received.
The allegations add to ongoing public debate about Nigeria’s approach to handling mass abductions and insurgency-related kidnappings, particularly in the country’s northern regions, where schools have repeatedly been targeted by armed groups.
While the government has consistently maintained a policy of not paying ransom to terrorist organizations, independent reports and security sources have at times suggested that negotiations involving financial or prisoner exchanges have occurred in certain cases. No official confirmation has been issued regarding the specific claims detailed in the AFP report.
