Senator Ali Ndume has dismissed allegations that he acted as an intermediary between kidnappers and the government or private individuals, insisting he has never been involved in ransom negotiations.
The Borno South lawmaker was reacting to allegations made by Samaila Kaigama, President of the Borno Youth Alliance, who claimed Ndume played a role in the handling of an alleged ransom linked to the release of abducted residents of Ngoshe, Borno State.
Speaking on ARISE NEWS, Ndume firmly denied the allegation.
“I have never, directly or indirectly, acted as an intermediary between kidnappers and any government or private individuals. Not at all,” he said.
Ndume explained that after Kaigama contacted him with a video allegedly released by Boko Haram/ISWAP, demanding a ₦5 billion ransom for the release of 416 abducted residents, he immediately alerted security agencies.
According to him, he contacted the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the military and other relevant agencies, while also sharing Kaigama’s contact details with them.
He stressed that he deliberately stayed away from any discussion involving ransom payments.
“He wanted to use me or come through me for the payment of ransom. I told him I didn’t want to be involved. The best I could do was to connect him with the appropriate authorities,” Ndume stated.
The senator reaffirmed his long-standing position against negotiating with terrorists or paying ransom.
“I don’t support it, I’m not supporting it, and I will never support negotiating with Boko Haram, let alone paying them ransom,” he said.
Ndume also called on security agencies to investigate the allegations, describing the matter as one of national security rather than a personal dispute.
He further alleged that Kaigama later requested money from families of abducted victims, prompting him to cut off communication.
“I cut off communication with him when he even asked people to pay money into a certain account… He was extorting money because people are desperate,” Ndume alleged.
The senator also dismissed claims that Boko Haram and ISWAP had agreed to a ceasefire.
“That is a lie because, just last Saturday, Boko Haram attempted to kidnap students of the Polytechnic in Monguno,” he said.
Ndume maintained that his priority remains pushing the government to intensify efforts to rescue victims and improve security across affected communities.
