Nigeria faces backlash over alleged $10M ransom payment to free hostages from St. Mary’s School, violating anti-ransom policy.

In response to reports that two Boko Haram commanders were freed and a ransom of over N10 billion was paid to free hostages taken from St. Mary's Catholic School in Papiri, the African Democratic Congress is calling on the Nigerian government to provide clarification. The group confirmed that the students and staff had returned safely, but it voiced concern about contradicting reports in the international media and cautioned that such actions would go against the government's long-standing policy of not paying ransoms—a stance that National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu had previously maintained. To guarantee accountability and adherence to the official anti-terrorism stance, the ADC demanded transparency.