The Borno State Government has denied reports that ransom was paid for the release of 360 abductees rescued from the Mandara Mountains.
According to Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, the rescue was the result of a carefully planned military operation supported by intelligence from the DSS, not ransom negotiations.
The victims, including men, women, and children, were rescued by troops of Operation Hadin Kai after weeks of intelligence gathering and operational planning.
Tar also stated that Boko Haram has evolved from an ideological movement into a criminal enterprise driven by abduction, extortion, and terror against civilians.
