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Nigeria Denies Paying Militants Ransom to Release Abducted Pupils

The government has rejected a media report alleging it paid a large ransom to Islamist group Boko Haram to secure the release of more than 200 pupils and staff abducted from St Mary's School in Papiri in November 2024. Information Minister Mohammed Idris dismissed the claims, reported by AFP and citing unnamed intelligence sources, as "false and baseless reporting," and a "disservice to the professionalism and integrity" of the security forces.

He said no ransom was paid. He also denied that two Boko Haram commanders were freed as part of the deal. The AFP report alleged ransom payments ranging from U.S. $30,000 per captive to a total of U.S. $1.5 million. The report also alleged that the money was transported by air to Boko Haram's Gwoza enclave in Borno state and handed over to a local commander. 

The controversy comes at a sensitive time for Abuja as the government is under diplomatic scrutiny, particularly from the US.  The United States House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs submitted to the White House a comprehensive report detailing findings and recommendations on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Nigeria has repeatedly made it clear that no religious group is being targeted in the widespread insecurity affecting the country.

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Niger governor receives 100 students out of 265 abducted from their school in Papiri, Niger State

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