Nigeria paid Boko Haram ransom for kidnapped pupilsSome of the freed children were received by the governor of Niger state Mohammed Umaru Bago. (Photo: AFP)KANO (NIGERIA) - The Nigerian government paid Boko Haram militants a "huge" ransom of millions of dollars to free up to 230 children and staff the jihadists abducted from a Catholic school in November, intelligence sources told AFP. Boko Haram has not been previously linked to the kidnapping, but sources told AFP one of its most feared commanders was behind the mass abduction. However, four intelligence sources familiar with the talks told AFP the government paid a "huge" ransom to get the pupils back. Nigeria's State Security Service flatly denied paying any money, saying: "Government agents don't pay ransoms."

Source: Bangkok Post February 23, 2026 14:36 UTC