Lai Mohammed says no ransom was paid for the release of Chibok girls

Information Minister Lai Mohammed yesterday denied suggestions that a ransom of two million euro was paid by the federal government to Boko Haram for the release of the 82 girls.

In a response to a BBC report that the sect got the money as part of the deal to release the girls, Mohammed said: “apart from the five Boko Haram commanders, the exchange of which we have already made public, no other concession was made.

“Any other thing to the contrary is absolutely false.

“I emphatically deny on behalf of the Federal Government that any sum of ransom was paid in exchange of the 82 Chibok girls.”

A thanksgiving service will be held for the girls today in Abuja.