Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu allegedly paid up to N10bn ransom and freed two Boko Haram commanders to secure the release of over 300 abducted Catholic schoolchildren, AFP sources say.
The deal, which contravenes Nigerian law prohibiting payments to kidnappers, involved the abduction of over 300 pupils and teachers from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, on November 20, 2025. Most were freed after two weeks of negotiations led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the government announced on December 21, 2025.
AFP, citing four intelligence sources familiar with the talks, reported that a “huge” ransom was delivered by helicopter to the insurgents’ stronghold in northeastern Borno State. One source put the total at around $7 million (approximately N10 billion at current exchange rates), while another estimated it at N2 billion overall.
In addition to the cash payment, two top Boko Haram commanders were released as part of the agreement, the sources said.
The presidency’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, did not respond to requests for comment. Ribadu’s office has repeatedly insisted that hostages were freed without any ransom being paid.
The revelations come as Nigeria continues to battle Boko Haram and allied groups responsible for thousands of abductions and deaths since the insurgency began more than 15 years ago.
No immediate reaction was available from the Nigerian government or Boko Haram.
