A new scandal is rocking Nigeria. According to revelations published by AFP on Monday, the Nigerian government allegedly paid several million dollars to the terrorist group Boko Haram to secure the release of approximately 250 hostages.

These captives — students and staff from a Catholic school in Niger State — had been abducted on November 21, 2025.

Details of a secret agreement

The operation, conducted in secrecy, reportedly involved significant material resources and human sacrifices:

1. The amount: A colossal sum amounting to up to 7 million dollars .
2. The logistics: The money was allegedly delivered by helicopter to Gwoza (Borno State), a stronghold of the insurgents on the Cameroonian border.
3. The exchange: Besides the financial aspect, two Boko Haram commanders were reportedly released as part of this deal.

An official denial in the face of the law

Despite this information from intelligence sources, the Nigerian authorities remain firmly on the defensive:

"Government agents do not pay ransoms," security officials said.

It must be said that the issue is doubly sensitive: firstly, Nigerian law strictly forbids any payment to kidnappers. Secondly, this revelation risks damaging relations with the United States.

Diplomatic tensions on the horizon

This decision to negotiate financially with the jihadists could provoke the anger of Donald Trump . The American president has recently hardened his stance in the region, ordering airstrikes on Christmas Day and sending military instructors to support the Nigerian army in its fight against terrorism.