The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has denied reports making the rounds claiming that the federal government paid a ransom in order to effect the release of some of the kidnapped Chibok girls.

In a statement issued by the acting director, defence information, Rabe Abubakar, the report was described as “unsubstantiated” and “quite unfortunate.”

Abubakar pointed out that several statements have been issued by the military high command to clarify the issue surrounding the release of the girls, adding that it was worrisome “that some sections of the media continue to undermine the modest effort of the government, security agencies and other stakeholders.”

He maintained that “the sponsors of this media campaign have a hidden agenda which is best known to them.”

The military spokesman reiterated that security agencies will not be distracted and would remain focus in clearing the Northeast of the Boko Haram terrorists.

“The important thing is that the release have 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 still  in captivity of the terrorists,” the statement added.

Abubakar further stated that 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.”

He called on the general public to discountenance the story in its entirety.

The army spokesperson also advised media practitioners to “be cautious of such reports which has serious implication on National Security.

He said that the media also has a stake in the ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace in the Northeast and the country in general.