The Borno State Government has denied reports suggesting that ransom was paid to secure the release of 360 abductees rescued from the Mandara Mountains, insisting that the operation was entirely intelligence-driven and successfully executed by the military with support from the Department of State Services (DSS).
The clarification was made by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Monday.
His remarks followed the announcement by Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) on Sunday that troops had rescued 360 hostages from a Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) enclave located in the southern part of Borno State.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna Sani, the operation involved Special Forces and troops of Sector 1 and came after weeks of intelligence gathering, covert reconnaissance and detailed operational planning.
Sani disclosed that the rescued victims, comprising men, women and children, had been abducted from several communities, especially around the Ngoshe axis, and were held under harsh conditions in the terrorists’ hideout.
Addressing speculation that ransom might have been paid to secure their freedom, Tar dismissed the claims and challenged anyone with evidence to come forward.
Who paid the ransom? And the ransom was paid to who? Where is the evidence?” he asked.
We are the operatives on the ground. There was no ransom payment. There was a daring military operation with intelligence support from the DSS that led to the rescue of the 360 citizens. That is the fact on the ground. If there are any counter facts, then you can pursue that.
The commissioner further argued that Boko Haram has evolved from an ideologically motivated insurgency into a criminal network sustained by kidnapping and other illegal activities.
The Boko Haram insurgency started as a result of the ideological mindset of a few individuals who started the campaigns. But those individuals have gone. The Boko Haram insurgency has since transmuted into a big business. So that is what is going on right now, and there is no other explanation, he said.
Tar maintained that despite different narratives surrounding the activities of Boko Haram, the Borno State Government regards members of the group as criminals whose sole aim is to terrorize innocent citizens.
As far as we are concerned, we are dealing with criminals who are out to vandalize, criminalize and terrorize our people, and we are not going to rest on our oars, he stated.
The rescue operation has been widely hailed as one of the most significant successes recorded in recent months in the fight against insurgency in the North-East.
Governor Babagana Zulum had earlier commended troops involved in the operation for their bravery and professionalism, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar praised the rescue and called for renewed efforts to secure the release of other victims still in captivity across the country.
Security analysts say the successful operation highlights the growing role of intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration in combating terrorism and kidnapping in Nigeria.
The Mandara Mountains, which stretch across parts of Borno State and the border with Cameroon, have long served as hideouts for Boko Haram factions and have witnessed repeated military offensives aimed at dismantling insurgent strongholds.
Despite recent gains recorded by security forces, authorities have maintained that the fight against terrorism remains ongoing and have reiterated their commitment to restoring peace and ensuring the safety of residents in the North-East.
