“No Kobo Paid!” — FG Dismisses ‘Helicopter Cash Drop’ Claim In Niger Students’ Rescue

The federal government has dismissed as “completely false and baseless” reports alleging that a huge ransom was paid — including the release of militant commanders — to secure the freedom of pupils abducted from St. Mary’s boarding school in Niger State.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said the allegation that government officials delivered ransom by helicopter to insurgents was “fiction” and a “laughable fabrication.”

“The attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria has been drawn to a publication circulating in the media… alleging that the Nigerian Government paid a ‘huge’ ransom, including the release of militant commanders, to secure the freedom of the schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s boarding school in Niger State,” the statement read.

“The Federal Government states that these allegations are completely false and baseless, and constitute a disservice to the professionalism and integrity of Nigeria’s security forces and the sacrifices they make daily,” it added.

The government said it “firmly reject[s] a narrative built on shadowy, unnamed sources seeking to undermine the credibility of a sovereign government acting within its laws,” declaring that “For the avoidance of doubt, no ransom was paid, and no militant commanders were freed.”

The statement noted that the claims relied “entirely on anonymous ‘intelligence sources’ and individuals ‘familiar with the talks,’” contrasting them with what it described as “clear and on-the-record denials issued by constituted authorities.”

According to the minister, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the leadership of the National Assembly of Nigeria have all “publicly refuted claims of ransom payment…

“The report itself reveals contradictions that expose its speculative character,” the statement said, adding that it presented “sharply conflicting accounts regarding the alleged ransom.”

“Such inconsistency underscores a lack of direct knowledge and undermines the credibility of the claims,” Idris asserted.

On the specific allegation that ransom was transported by helicopter and confirmed across borders, the government was unequivocal.

“The assertion that ransom was delivered by helicopter to insurgents, with cross-border confirmation of receipt, is fiction,” the minister emphasised.

He added that the DSS had “formally dismissed this claim as fake and laughable.”

The federal government maintained that the rescue of the pupils was the outcome of a coordinated security operation rather than a negotiated settlement with criminal elements.

“Nigeria is confronting a structured, profit-driven criminal enterprise,” the statement read, deepening insight with “the successful rescue of the pupils, without casualty, was the result of professional intelligence and operational precision.”

Idris said the government remains “unwavering in its commitment to security” and urged the media to “verify facts before publishing speculative reports that risk emboldening criminals or undermining troop morale.”

While affirming respect for press freedom, the minister stressed that such freedom must not be used to propagate what he described as unverified and damaging claims.

“We respect the freedom of the press,” he said, insisting “but we firmly reject a narrative built on shadowy, unnamed sources.”