The money was reportedly flown by helicopter to the group’s base in Gwoza, Borno State, near Cameroon. Two Boko Haram commanders were also released as part of the deal, even though Nigerian law bans ransom payments.
According to The Vanguard, the government denied paying any ransom for the nearly 300 students and staff taken from St. Mary’s school in Papiri, Niger State, as about 50 victims escaped on their own.
Sources said a feared commander known as Sadiku was behind the kidnapping. He is also suspected of leading the 2022 train attack between Abuja and Kaduna.
The victims were released after two weeks of talks led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, while the government continued to deny paying any ransom.
Four intelligence sources told AFP that the Nigerian government paid a very large ransom to free the kidnapped schoolchildren.
A security operative said that the ransom was about N was40 million per child, around $7 million in total. While another source said the total amount that was paid as ransom for the abducted children was about N2 billion.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, did not respond to requests for comment. Nigeria’s State Security Service initially denied paying any ransom, saying government officials do not pay kidnappers.
Boko Haram has been fighting the government since 2009 and is strongest in northeastern Nigeria.
A group of the terrorists' sect in Niger State, led by a commander known as Sadiku, was responsible for the ugly development. Sources said Sadiku’s group kept the children in a camp near Borgu, about 370 kilometres from Minna, the state capital.
Vincent Foucher from National Center for Scientific Research said that it might be true that Sadiku was behind the attack because of his past actions.
The kidnapping happened while Nigeria was facing international pressure from the US. The US had accused Nigeria of persecuting Christians. On Christmas Day, the United States said it carried out airstrikes that killed several Islamic State fighters in northwest Nigeria.
However, experts and Nigerian officials said the country’s security problems are complex and affect both Muslims and Christians, with most kidnapping victims being Muslim.
Nigeria has struggled with mass kidnappings for years. Criminal and extremist groups often work together to demand money from families. Even though ransom payments are illegal, kidnappings continue.
According to reports, there were 828 abductions in the past year, more than in Mexico and Colombia combined. Only Cameroon and Myanmar recorded more cases.
Experts believe Sadiku’s group recently moved from its base in Shiroro and needed money. They are known for raising funds for Boko Haram leaders in the northeast.
As part of the deal to free the St. Mary’s children, sources said Boko Haram also asked the military to allow displaced residents of Audu Fari village in Borgu to return home.
The village was important to Sadiku’s group because it served as a supply and travel route for fighters and their families.
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