The arrival of Jonathan Burke, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing, in Abuja has coincided with reports alleging that the Nigerian government may have paid millions of dollars to Boko Haram to secure the release of schoolchildren abducted from St Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State on November 21, 2025. The U.S. visit focuses on disrupting terrorist financing and curbing illicit financial flows linked to extremist groups.
Intelligence sources claim that a substantial ransom was allegedly delivered by helicopter to Boko Haram’s stronghold in Gwoza, Borno State, and that two commanders were reportedly released as part of the negotiations. Estimates of the ransom vary, with some sources placing it around N40 million ($7 million) and others at N2 billion. Government officials, including the National Security Adviser, maintain that no ransom was paid, citing the Anti-Terrorism Act, which prescribes jail terms of up to 15 years for ransom payments.
The incident has sparked debate within Nigeria, with analysts and forum contributors highlighting the persistence of kidnapping as a funding mechanism for armed groups. Many argue that ransom payments, whether by families or intermediaries, fuel continued violence and undermine security operations. The ongoing dialogue reflects concerns about transparency, government accountability, and the challenges of combating insurgent groups while protecting abducted citizens.
