'No ransom was paid for release of 137 schoolchildren' - FG says

The federal government has dismissed claims ransom was paid for the release of 137 individuals abducted by gunmen at the Kuriga School early this month.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris while speaking with state house correspondents stressed that no ransom was paid for the release of the schoolchildren.

The minister clarified after the Federal Executive Council meeting, which was presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the presidential villa on Monday, March 25, Leadership reported.

Idris said: “As promised by Mr. President, they have been rescued. No ransom was paid.”

He added that the President expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Service Chiefs and others involved in securing the students' release.

His interview with the press comes hours after a former Commandant of the Defence Intelligence College, Commodore Kunle Olawunmi (Rtd) in a no-holds-barred interview on Arise TV on Monday, March 25, said the release of the abducted wouldn't have been possible unless ransom was paid by the federal government to the abductors.

"Ransom was paid, let me just answer that one. Let them take me on or debunk it," he said.

"I know the minds of terrorists, if they say they want N1 billion, they won't give up their price. The children are the price and they have demanded money then you now go to talk to them when they have risked their lives."

"They collected money, they have to buy more arms after this, they have to be stronger," he added.

287 students and teachers from the LEA Primary School and the Government Secondary School, Kuriga were kidnapped with the abductors demanding N1bn for their release.

The hoodlums, who made the demand also gave a deadline that would elapse on March 27, 2024, for the payment of the ransom.