By Paul Joseph
Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, has denied allegations linking him to the alleged payment of a ₦5 billion ransom to Boko Haram/ISWAP for the release of abducted residents of Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, Ndume said his only involvement was notifying security agencies after learning of the abduction and claims that the terrorists were demanding ransom.
The senator was reacting to allegations made by Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), who claimed that ₦5 billion was paid to secure the release of 360 hostages and alleged that Ndume facilitated or contributed about ₦1.9 billion of the amount.
Ndume firmly rejected the claims, insisting he neither negotiated with the insurgents nor paid any ransom.
According to him, the crisis began after Boko Haram fighters invaded Ngoshe during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and abducted 416 residents. He said Kaigama later contacted him, claiming to have established communication with the terrorist group, which allegedly demanded ₦5 billion and threatened to kill or forcibly marry off some of the captives if the money was not paid within 72 hours.
Rather than engaging with the insurgents, Ndume said he immediately alerted the National Security Adviser, the Nigeria Police Force, military intelligence, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
He added that he had never met Kaigama in person, explaining that all their interactions were through telephone conversations and voice messages, which he said he had preserved.
The senator said he became suspicious after Kaigama allegedly pressured him to contribute money towards the ransom.
“I told him that I do not support negotiating with Boko Haram, let alone paying ransom,” Ndume said, maintaining that he has consistently opposed ransom payments throughout his political career.
He questioned the credibility of the allegations, asking how such a huge sum could have been transferred if it was indeed paid, and challenged his accuser to provide evidence before the appropriate authorities.
Ndume also disclosed that he has reported Kaigama to the police over what he described as defamatory statements and intends to institute legal action against him.
The lawmaker further alleged that some constituents informed him that Kaigama had previously solicited money from families of kidnapped victims, promising to facilitate their release without success. He claimed Kaigama is also facing an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged extortion.
Recalling his own experience, Ndume noted that he was prosecuted in 2011 over alleged contacts with a man claiming links to Boko Haram. He said the case lasted six years before it was dismissed due to lack of evidence.
On reports that ransom payments have been made in previous kidnapping cases, Ndume said he could not speak for the government but stressed that he has never supported or participated in such negotiations.
He also suggested that the allegations may be politically motivated, noting that Kaigama is contesting the Borno South senatorial seat under a different political party.
Ndume called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation by inviting both parties to present evidence, insisting he has nothing to hide.
Meanwhile, the Borno State Government has maintained that no ransom was paid for the release of the Ngoshe victims, stating that the hostages regained their freedom through military operations.
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