The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has denied a recent media report, which claimed that the Federal Government paid ransom to Boko Haram terrorists to secure the release of 21 of the abducted Chibok School girls, describing the claim as unsubstantiated and unfortunate.

Acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar in a statement issued on Saturday, recalled that several statements had earlier been issued by the military high command to clarify the issue surrounding the release of the girls. He expressed concern that some sections of the media “has continued to undermine this modest effort of the government, security agencies and other stakeholders. It is imperative to state categorically that the sponsors of this media campaign have a hidden agenda which is best known to them.”

Abubakar assured that the military and other security agencies will not be distracted and would remain focused in achieving its objectives in the North East. According to him, the important thing is that the release has been made and circumstances surrounding this effort should not be a matter of controversy so as not to overheat the polity and jeorpardising the ongoing efforts to secure the release of the remaining girls and other innocent citizens that are still in captivity of the terrorists.

“The insinuations that ransom was paid to the terrorists which the terrorists used to escalate the recent attacks in the North East is completely false and imagination of the author. The general public should therefore discountenance it in its entirety.

“The DHQ wishes to once more remind the media to be cautious of such reports which have serious implication on national and to further add that, as partners in progress, the media also has a stake in the ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace in the North East and the country in general.”

•Photo shows some of the Chibok girls after their release.

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