The Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has been accused of paying a ransom estimated at nearly ₦10 billion and releasing two senior Boko Haram commanders to secure the freedom of pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School.
The abduction occurred in November 2025, when more than 300 students and staff were taken by Boko Haram fighters. Reports allege that the government paid a substantial ransom to secure the release of about 230 schoolchildren and an unspecified number of teachers, despite its official position against negotiating with kidnappers.
According to the claims, the ransom was calculated at roughly ₦40 million per victim, bringing the total to about $7 million. Another account placed the figure lower, estimating the total payment at around ₦2 billion. At an exchange rate of ₦1,400 to the dollar, the higher estimate translates to approximately ₦9.8 billion.
The reports also alleged that two top Boko Haram commanders were freed as part of the agreement to ensure the release of the abducted victims. This has raised questions about the government’s stated policy of refusing ransom payments to terrorists and criminal groups.
Attempts to obtain a response from the president’s spokesman were unsuccessful. However, the office of the National Security Adviser has repeatedly maintained that several hostages have been rescued without the payment of ransom.
On December 21, 2025, the federal government announced the release of 130 pupils and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, who were abducted on November 20. Earlier, 50 pupils reportedly escaped between November 21 and 22, while another 100 were said to have been released on December 7.
Since President Tinubu assumed office in 2023, Nigeria has continued to grapple with widespread insecurity, including frequent kidnappings and killings carried out by terrorists, bandits, and other criminal groups. Prior to the St. Mary’s abduction, bandits had also kidnapped 25 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi State.
