The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged the Federal Government to clarify a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP), an international media, alleging that the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid over ₦10 billion in ransom and released two senior Boko Haram commanders to secure the release of abducted pupils and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said it welcomed the safe return of the victims but warned that any such arrangement would contradict the government’s public position on ransom payments and weaken Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
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“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reviewed reports in sections of the international media alleging that the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, paid a ransom of over ₦10 billion and released two senior Boko Haram commanders to secure the release of the abducted pupils and school staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri,” the statement read.
The party recalled that government officials and security agencies had earlier denied paying ransom after the victims were freed.
“We recall that shortly after the kidnapped victims were released, the Federal Government as well as the various security agencies denied, variously, that the government paid any ransom to secure their release,” the ADC said.
It cited comments credited to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, noting that “ransom payments are ‘one of the worst things’ promoting insecurity in the country.”
The ADC also referenced existing laws, stressing that the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, expressly outlaws negotiations and ransom payments to kidnappers and terrorists.”
According to the party, confirmation of the reports would suggest a troubling contradiction in government policy.
“However, what this report would mean is that the government has been doing brisk business with terrorists all along and passing off ransom payments as rescue operations,” the statement said.
The opposition party warned that allegations involving ransom payments of such magnitude and the possible release of high-value terror suspects pose serious risks.
“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,” it said, adding that 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 ADC therefore demanded a clear response from the Federal Government.
“Accordingly, the ADC calls on the Federal Government to issue a categorical explanation on whether any ransom, directly or indirectly, was paid in relation to the Papiri abduction, and whether any detainees or captured terror actors were released, exchanged, or otherwise discharged as part of negotiations,” the statement said.
While acknowledging the pressure on authorities to secure the release of abducted persons, the party accused the government of hypocrisy.
“While the government may be acting under pressure to win short-term political gains for bringing kidnapped victims back home, its hypocritical posture on the issue of ransom payments risks confusing citizens and promoting the vicious cycle of kidnapping in the country,” the ADC stated.
It concluded that, “No serious government will sacrifice national security principles on the altar of political expediency and short-term media applause.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government had yet to respond to the allegations.
