VIDEO: “Govt Paid Us ₦60M — We Bought More Guns!” Bandit Kingpin Confesses
Abuja, Nigeria – June 8, 2026 – In a stunning and deeply disturbing interview with the BBC, a masked bandit kingpin has openly admitted that a ₦60 million ransom paid by the Nigerian government for the release of abducted schoolgirls was used to purchase more rifles—weapons now fueling fresh waves of terror and kidnappings across the country.
Sitting calmly on a blue tarp in a remote forest hideout, with rifles propped beside him, the bandit leader spoke without remorse about how government money directly strengthens his group’s deadly operations.
“We were paid 60 million naira by the government to release the girls,” he said. “We used the money to buy more rifles.”
He went further, linking the cash directly to recent abductions in Oyo and Borno states and citing previous high-profile cases like Jangebe and Kankara as examples of how ransom payments have become a reliable funding stream for banditry.
Heartbreaking Reality Behind the Numbers
The bandit confirmed the transaction in stark terms during the BBC interview:
- On the payment: “But after negotiations, 60 million Naira was paid for their release.”
- On receiving it: “Yes, with my eyes, we took the money.”
- On what they did with it: “We bought more rifles.”
This brazen admission has sent shockwaves across Nigeria, shining a harsh light on the dangerous consequences of paying ransoms to criminal gangs. For years, security experts and concerned citizens have warned that such payments do not end the nightmare—they finance it.
By turning desperation into profit, these payouts appear to be giving bandits the resources to acquire better weapons, expand their networks, and strike again—often targeting the most vulnerable: schoolchildren, villagers, and travelers.
Growing Public Outrage
The BBC video, widely shared on X (formerly Twitter) by @SadiqMaunde, has triggered widespread anger and heartbreak online.
Many Nigerians are asking the same painful question: How can a government that struggles to protect its citizens end up arming the very criminals terrorizing them?
Despite the bandits’ own media access, questions remain about the effectiveness of security operations in locating and neutralizing these groups operating deep in the forests of northern and central Nigeria.
As of now, the Nigerian government has not issued any official response to the explosive interview.
A Nation Demands Answers
This latest revelation comes as banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency continue to displace thousands and claim innocent lives across the region.
For the families of abducted children and the communities living in fear, the bandit’s calm confession is more than shocking—it is devastating.
It is a tragic reminder that good intentions without a firm strategy can sometimes make a terrible situation even worse.
The story continues to develop. Nigerians deserve transparency, accountability, and, above all, a safer future for their children.
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