ABUJA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government on Thursday insisted it did not pay any ransom to terror group Boko Haram to secure the release of over 100 schoolgirls kidnapped in the northeastern town of Dapchi in March.
Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed said the government was challenging individuals or global organizations with any evidence of payment to publish such.
A report by the United Nations had claimed that the Nigerian government paid a huge ransom to Boko Haram for the release of the girls kidnapped in their school premises in the northern state of Yobe on Feb. 19.
They were released by Boko Haram almost a month after the abduction, following the Nigerian government's confirmation that it was in talks with the terror group for the girls' freedom.
"It is not enough to say that Nigeria paid a ransom, little or huge. There must be a conclusive evidence to support such claims," Mohammed said in a statement made available to Xinhua.
The official dismissed the UN's claims as "a mere conjecture" until the global organization is able to produce an evidence of payment.
All of the Dapchi schoolgirls and some other victims earlier kidnapped were released by a faction of Boko Haram, following negotiations by some international organizations and partners of the Nigerian government, local officials stated in March.
One of the Dapchi girls, Leah Sharibu, is still in Boko Haram's captivity for allegedly refusing to renounce her Christian faith. The Nigerian government said it is still working for her release.
Also, over 100 schoolgirls kidnapped by another faction of Boko Haram in the northeastern town of Chibok in April of 2014 are still in captivity.
