Opposition parties have asked the federal government to urgently clear the air over reports alleging that more than N10 billion was paid as ransom and two senior Boko Haram commanders were freed to secure the release of abducted pupils and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri.
In separate statements signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the parties said the allegations, if true, cast serious doubt on the government’s stated position against ransom payments and could weaken Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
The ADC said it reviewed reports in sections of the international media alleging that the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid the ransom and released two senior insurgent commanders to secure the victims’ freedom, reports Vanguard.
“Allegations of ransom payments at this scale, and the possible release of high-value terror elements, raise serious concerns about terrorism financing, the rule of law, and the safety of citizens.
“Nigeria cannot claim to discourage ransom payments while operating in a manner that, if confirmed, rewards terror networks, incentivises future abductions, and puts more communities at risk,” the party added.
The ADC therefore called on the federal government to give a clear and categorical explanation on whether any ransom was paid, directly or indirectly, in relation to the Papiri abduction and whether any detainees were released or exchanged as part of negotiations.
“No serious government sacrifices national security principles on the altar of political expediency and short-term media applause,” the party stated.
The PDP, in its own reaction, described recent reports of ransom payments by government authorities in several states as disturbing and said the development reflects deeper concerns about the country’s security situation.
The party said the revelations followed engagements between the United States Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Jonathan Burke, and top Nigerian security and finance officials aimed at disrupting illicit financial flows linked to extremist groups.
“This recent revelation is not only shameful and unfortunate, but also a sad confirmation of the National Bureau of Statistics’ Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey 2024,” the PDP said.
Citing the survey, the party noted that ransom payments have grown into a trillion-naira economy, with N2.3 trillion reportedly paid between May 2023 and April 2024, and more than 2.2 million people kidnapped within the same period.
The PDP maintained that, globally, governments avoid ransom payments because such actions tend to strengthen criminal groups and make them harder to defeat.
“It is the height of hypocrisy that a government that enacted the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 which criminalised paying ransom is itself accused of paying millions of dollars in ransom from the public treasury,” the party said.
The party urged the federal government to fully implement the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, intensify efforts to track illicit financial flows to criminal networks, and ensure the Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell delivers on its mandate.
Both parties said Nigerians deserve clear answers on the Papiri rescue operation and on the government’s broader policy regarding ransom payments amid the country’s worsening kidnapping crisis.
