Nigeria Accused of Secret Three-Month Ceasefire with Boko Haram; Reportedly Paid 500 Million Naira Ransom for Hostages While Publicly Refusing to Negotiate

According to an investigation by The New Humanitarian, the secret ceasefire between the Nigerian government and Boko Haram has lasted three months. The outlet cited three sources with ties to Boko Haram members — including its senior leadership — who confirmed the ceasefire agreement.

The ceasefire reportedly took effect in June this year and was reached after the government negotiated with Boko Haram to recover 360 kidnapped civilians. The villagers were abducted in March this year when Boko Haram attacked a military camp near Ngoshe village in the Mandara Mountains of northeastern Nigeria, close to the Cameroonian border. Three sources independently told The New Humanitarian that the ceasefire could be extended by another 40 days.

More controversially, the Nigerian government reportedly paid 500 million naira (approximately US$3.7 million) in the negotiations. The outlet cited two sources saying attacks around Ngoshe village have stopped. However, the Nigerian government denies paying a ransom. The New Humanitarian said it reached out to government, defense ministry, and military spokespersons before publication but received no response. Al Jazeera said it could not independently verify the reported ceasefire or related payments.

This covert arrangement sharply contradicts the Nigerian government's public stance. Authorities have consistently labeled Boko Haram a "terrorist organization" and refused to engage in dialogue with it. President Bola Tinubu announced in July that he plans to recruit an additional 30,000 troops and create four new army divisions, clearly positioning military means as the primary path for addressing armed groups.

The gap between public refusals to negotiate and secret talks is not unprecedented. Citing security officials, diplomats, and mediators familiar with previous efforts, The New Humanitarian reported that behind-the-scenes attempts to open dialogue with Boko Haram have been made multiple times, some of which produced ceasefire arrangements but ultimately collapsed.

The current agreement also does not cover another armed group that continues to fight Boko Haram — the "Islamic State West Africa Province" (ISWAP). Fighting between the two factions continues.

Conflict researcher Malik Samuel expressed doubt about whether the agreement could bring lasting peace. He told The New Humanitarian: "This may just be a temporary, tactical ceasefire that benefits both sides, but it will not really change the trajectory of the war."

Additionally, according to The New Humanitarian, two sources warned that Boko Haram could use the ceasefire period to move weapons and supplies into the Mandara Mountains, thereby consolidating its positions.

Boko Haram has carried out attacks and kidnappings in northeastern Nigeria and neighboring countries around the Lake Chad region since 2009. The group subsequently split into multiple factions, with ISWAP operating as an independent and hostile armed group across the broader Lake Chad region. For the residents of Ngoshe village and surrounding communities, who have long endured attacks, the respite brought by the ceasefire is real — but so too is the fragility of the ceasefire, and the operating method of a government that both pays ransoms and denies doing so.