Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, has denied allegations that he served as an intermediary between Boko Haram kidnappers and the government or private individuals during negotiations for the release of abducted residents of Ngoshe in Borno State.
Truth Live News Media reports that he refuted the allegation while speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Tuesday.
He described the claims as false, insisting that his only involvement was to notify security agencies after being contacted by Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama over a ransom demand allegedly made by Boko Haram/ISWAP.
“I have never, directly or indirectly acted as an intermediary between kidnappers and any government or private individuals. Not at all,” Ndume said.
The senator was reacting to allegations made by Kaigama during an interview on Radio Now 95.3 FM and in statements issued through the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), accusing him of diverting part of an alleged N5 billion ransom paid for the release of 416 women and children abducted from Ngoshe.
Explaining his involvement, Ndume said Kaigama contacted him after insurgents reportedly released a video demanding N5 billion within 72 hours or threatening to kill, disperse or forcibly marry off the captives.
“He contacted me several times. Then at the end of it, when I saw the video when he sent the video, I called him and I said, ‘Have you contacted the security agencies?’ What I did, because of the bad experience I had, I immediately told him that I was going to reach out to NSA, DSS and other relevant security agencies, even the military. And I did. I shared his contact with those agencies,” he stated.
Ndume said he had preserved all communications with Kaigama and had reported the matter to security agencies, insisting it should be treated as a national security issue rather than a personal dispute.
The lawmaker also revealed that he became suspicious when Kaigama allegedly asked him to contribute towards the ransom payment, stressing that he rejected the request because he does not support negotiating with or paying terrorists.
“He made those allegations, and let me say that ab initio, when he mentioned the issue of payment of ransom, I told him I don’t want to be involved. The time I began suspecting him, was when he demanded that I should contribute money for the ransom,” Ndume said.
He maintained that he had no knowledge of whether any ransom was eventually paid, saying only the government or Kaigama could answer questions on the alleged payment.
“I’m privy to a lot of information, but not about payment of ransom. Because my position on ransom payment ab initio, or even negotiating with Boko Haram, is clear: that I don’t support, I’m not supporting, and I will never support negotiating with Boko Haram, talk less of paying them ransom,” he said.
Ndume welcomed calls for an investigation into the allegations, saying he had nothing to hide and urging security agencies to invite all those involved to establish the facts.
He also dismissed Kaigama’s claim that Boko Haram and ISWAP were observing a ceasefire, citing recent attacks in Borno State as proof that the insurgents remain active.
The senator maintained that his focus has always been on urging security agencies to rescue abducted victims and strengthen security across his constituency, rather than taking part in ransom negotiations.
