Borno Govt Fires Back: ‘No Ransom Was Paid To Free 360 Boko Haram Captives

The Borno State Government has refuted allegations that ransom was paid to secure the release of 360 individuals abducted from communities in the Mandara Mountains, maintaining that the operation was a successful military rescue backed by credible intelligence.

According to reports, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, dismissed the claims during an interview on a television programme, challenging those making the allegations to provide proof of any ransom transaction.

Tar stressed that the victims regained their freedom through a carefully coordinated military operation supported by intelligence provided by the Department of State Services (DSS), insisting that no negotiations or financial payments were involved.

He questioned the basis of the claims, asking who allegedly made the payment, who received it, and where the evidence could be found. He reiterated that the rescue was executed by security forces through a strategic intelligence-driven mission.

Earlier, Operation Hadin Kai had announced the successful rescue of the 360 captives from a Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad hideout following weeks of surveillance, covert reconnaissance, and operational planning involving Special Forces and Sector 1 troops.

The rescued victims, including men, women, and children, were reportedly kidnapped from communities around the Ngoshe axis and held in difficult conditions before the security operation secured their freedom.

Speaking on the broader security situation, Tar noted that the Boko Haram insurgency had evolved from an ideological movement into a criminal network sustained by kidnappings and other forms of exploitation, describing the insurgents as criminals bent on terrorising innocent residents.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum applauded the troops and intelligence agencies for the successful mission, describing the operation as a testament to bravery, professionalism, and the effectiveness of intelligence-led military strategies. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting ongoing efforts aimed at eliminating insurgency and ensuring the safety of communities across the North-East.