The Security Watch Network for Good Governance (SWNGG) has dismissed as false and irresponsible a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP) alleging that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) coordinated the payment of a multi-million dollar ransom to Boko Haram for the release of pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s School in Niger State.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Abdullahi Fagge, the group described the report as “baseless, reckless and unsupported by any credible evidence,” arguing that it misrepresented the circumstances surrounding the rescue operation and undermined Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
According to SWNGG, the AFP report relied almost entirely on anonymous sources without providing documentary evidence, a financial trail, identified officials, intermediaries or witnesses directly linked to the alleged ransom payment.
“It is disturbing that an international news agency would elevate conjecture to the status of fact without satisfying the basic standards of responsible journalism,” the group said, adding that such reporting not only misinforms the public but also diminishes the sacrifices of security personnel engaged in the fight against terrorism.
The organisation maintained that the release of the abducted pupils resulted from a coordinated security operation involving the Nigerian Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
It said the operation combined intelligence gathering, psychological operations, strategic pressure, military engagements where necessary and other non-kinetic measures that ultimately compelled the terrorists to free their captives.
“At no point was any ransom paid,” the statement stressed.
SWNGG argued that the operation reflected the Federal Government’s broader counter-terrorism strategy, which it said relies on intelligence-driven operations, inter-agency coordination, disruption of terrorist logistics and targeted security interventions rather than financial concessions to criminal groups.
The group also cited the recent rescue of abducted pupils and staff in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State as another example of what it described as the effectiveness of Nigeria’s integrated security architecture.
According to the organisation, the operation, coordinated through the ONSA Tactical Team alongside other security agencies, secured the victims’ release through intelligence-led planning, operational pressure and strategic engagement without the payment of ransom.
“It has become another practical demonstration that successful hostage rescue operations do not require governments to finance criminal enterprises,” the statement said.
SWNGG further noted that the Federal Government has consistently maintained a policy against the payment of ransom to terrorists and kidnappers, arguing that such payments strengthen criminal organisations, finance the acquisition of weapons and encourage further abductions.
The group also defended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, describing him as a public official with a longstanding record of institutional integrity, professionalism and commitment to the rule of law.
It said that under Ribadu’s coordination, security agencies had recorded significant successes in rescuing kidnapped victims, disrupting criminal networks and neutralising terrorist commanders through intelligence-led operations.
The organisation concluded by calling on AFP to retract the publication, issue a public correction and apologise to the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nigeria’s security institutions and the Nigerian people.
It urged international media organisations to ensure that reporting on conflict and national security issues is based on verifiable evidence, warning that inaccurate reports could undermine ongoing security operations and inadvertently amplify terrorist propaganda.
