The Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday, clarified that no ransom was paid to secure the release of 137 pupils abducted from Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on March 7, 2024.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris spoke to journalists shortly after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to him, “in keeping with the commitment of Mr President, no ransom was paid.”
Idris said President Bola Tinubu commended the role of the security authorities in ensuring the safe return of the abductees. He added that the President was resolute in his determination to fish out perpetrators and have them severely punished.
News Central reported that schoolchildren and teachers were kidnapped by terrorists who stormed LEA Primary School and the Government Secondary School Kuriga on March 7 and taken into the forest.
According to the media, 287 students were abducted by the terrorists.
However, following the release of the children, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, clarified that 137 pupils were rescued early hours of Sunday, contrary to earlier reports of 287.
Buba also addressed recent remarks by controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Gumi about terrorist activities in the country.
“What I can tell you is that the government will stop at nothing to get any kind of information that is required to solve our problems.
“Sheikh Gumi or any other individual for that matter is not above the law. If you have suggestions that are constructive enough for security agencies to take, they will take it.
“But if they think that he is also making some statements that appear to be reckless, he will also be reprimanded,” he said.
After the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) released a list of persons allegedly financing terrorism, Sheik Ahmad Gumi faulted the move, stating that security agencies had no right to declare anyone a terrorist financier. According to Gumi, the terrorists were using monies realised from ransoms to finance their operations.