The Nigerian government is facing claims that it paid a significant ransom to the terrorist group Boko Haram for the release of students abducted from St Mary Catholic School in November 2025. According to a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP), intelligence sources suggested that the government not only paid ransom but also released two senior Boko Haram commanders as part of the deal to secure the students' release. This revelation has raised concerns and questions about the government's negotiation tactics with terrorist groups.

Initially, over 300 pupils were kidnapped from the school in Niger State, with the government successfully managing to secure the release of more than 100 students unharmed by early December 2025. However, the subsequent revelations about the alleged ransom payment have sparked a public outcry, leading to fears that the Nigerian government's approach could encourage further kidnappings by armed groups. Denying the reports, government officials insist that no ransom was paid, indicating a need to maintain a hard stance against terrorism in the region.

This controversy underscores the ongoing security challenges Nigeria faces from Boko Haram and other extremist groups. The abduction of schoolchildren has become an all-too-frequent event in parts of Nigeria, raising alarm over the safety of educational institutions. The apparent discrepancies between government claims and intelligence reports highlight the complexities of the crisis and the implications for future negotiations with terrorist factions, as the government strives to balance public safety and counter-terrorism efforts.