Intelligence sources have reported to AFP that the Nigerian government paid an "enormous" ransom to the militant group Boko Haram in order to secure the release of students and school personnel kidnapped in November. Estimates of the ransom amount vary considerably, with one source claiming it reached over 63 million Swedish kronor, while another suggested it was more than 13 million kronor. This payment raises serious legal concerns as it contradicts Nigerian laws against paying kidnappers.

Despite the government's denial of any ransom payment to Boko Haram, the abduction involved nearly 300 individuals from a Catholic school, from which at least 50 managed to escape. The incident marks a troubling continuation of the pattern of mass kidnappings by such groups in Nigeria, where the safety of educational institutions has become increasingly jeopardized. Furthermore, among those released were reportedly two leaders of the group, indicating a potentially complex negotiation process behind the scenes.

Previously, Boko Haram had not been linked to this specific kidnapping event, but sources from AFP have indicated that one of its leaders may be implicated in orchestrating the abduction. This involvement could signify a shift in tactics or alliances among militant organizations in the region, highlighting the persistent challenges facing the Nigerian government in combating both terrorism and the broader implications of ransom payments on the ongoing crisis of kidnapping for ransom across the country.