News reaching Viewpointnigeria indicates that Nigerian islamist group Boko Haram was paid approximately $3m (N500 million) to secure the release of a French family previously captured in Cameroon and held hostage in Northern Nigeria.

In a confidential report, seen by Reuters news agency, the Nigerian Goverment confirmed the development but failed to state who paid the money. Our investigations reveal that both France and Cameroon deny paying the said ransom, while Nigeria has not commented on the issue.

The French family, including four children, were captured in Cameroon in February and freed last week and handed over to the cameroonian authorities last Thursday. Reuters reports that the report also stated that Cameroon authorities freed some Boko Haram detainees as part of the deal.

If confirmed, transfer of such a significant amount of money given to Boko Haram could serve to strengthen the firepower of the group.

News reaching Viewpointnigeria indicates that Nigerian islamist group Boko Haram was paid approximately $3m (N500 million) to secure the release of a French family previously captured in Cameroon and held hostage in Northern Nigeria.

In a confidential report, seen by Reuters news agency, the Nigerian Goverment confirmed the development but failed to state who paid the money. Our investigations reveal that both France and Cameroon deny paying the said ransom, while Nigeria has not commented on the issue.

The French family, including four children, were captured in Cameroon in February and freed last week and handed over to the cameroonian authorities last Thursday. Reuters reports that the report also stated that Cameroon authorities freed some Boko Haram detainees as part of the deal.

If confirmed, transfer of such a significant amount of money given to Boko Haram could serve to strengthen the firepower of the group.

Over the past week, violence in northern Nigeria has escalated as suspected members of Boko Haram have targeted the army and police. Reports say more than 200 civilians have died in the violence.

While the army is unable to prevent such attacks, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has appointed a committee to prepare the ground for offering an amnesty to the militants, our correspondent says.

The French family, who live in Yaounde, where Tanguy Moulin-Fournier worked for the French gas group Suez, had been returning from a holiday in the Waza National Park in northern Cameroon when they were kidnapped by gunmen on motorbikes on 19 February. Mr Moulin-Fournier, his wife Albane and four children, aged between five and 12, had been joined on their holiday by his brother Cyril.

In a YouTube video released about a week after their capture, the militants demanded the release of prisoners in Cameroon and Nigeria.

by Jerry Ladan

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Approximately N500 million ransom money paid to Boko Haram