The Borno State Government has dismissed reports alleging that it paid a large ransom to secure the release of 360 residents from captivity, describing the claims as unfounded.
The government insisted that the operation was achieved through coordinated military action and intelligence support, adding that security forces successfully executed a carefully planned rescue mission that led to the recovery of the abductees.
The Borno Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, said on Monday that the operation was driven entirely by intelligence and carried out in collaboration with the military and the Department of State Services (DSS).
“Who paid the ransom, and to whom was it paid? Where is the evidence?” Tar asked while reacting to the allegations.
“There was no ransom payment. What happened was a well-coordinated military operation backed by credible intelligence, which resulted in the rescue of 360 citizens,” he said.
He challenged those making the allegations to provide evidence, stressing that authorities directly involved in the operation have no record of any ransom transaction.
Tar also noted that the Boko Haram insurgency has evolved over the years from an ideological movement into a criminal network largely sustained through kidnapping and other illicit activities.
“The original actors behind the insurgency are no longer the driving force. What we see today is a criminal enterprise that thrives on violence, abduction, and the suffering of innocent people,” he said.
He added that the state government remains committed to supporting security agencies in their efforts to protect residents and dismantle criminal groups operating in the region.
“As far as we are concerned, these are criminals whose objective is to terrorise communities and undermine public safety. We will continue working with security agencies to confront them and restore peace,” Tar added.