By Abdul Yinusa
National News
Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has dismissed allegations linking him to ransom negotiations with terrorists, insisting he has never handled ₦1 billion in cash, let alone the ₦5 billion he is accused of facilitating.
Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, Ndume described the allegations as false and politically motivated, following claims by the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, over the abduction of residents of Ngoshe in Borno State.
“I have said it before. In my entire life, I have never seen ₦1 billion in cash, let alone ₦5 billion,” the lawmaker declared.
Ndume maintained that he neither negotiated with kidnappers nor acted as an intermediary between the government and terrorist groups. He explained that his only role was to alert security agencies after Kaigama informed him of a video allegedly released by Boko Haram/ISWAP demanding a ₦5 billion ransom.
According to the senator, he immediately contacted the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services (DSS), urging them to invite Kaigama to provide evidence in support of his allegations.
“I told them there is a need to bring us together so he can substantiate all the claims he has made. The government should take this matter seriously because it concerns national and international security,” Ndume said.
The senator revealed that his relationship with Kaigama deteriorated after he rejected suggestions that ransom should be paid to secure the release of the abducted victims.
He said Kaigama began making what he described as contradictory and unsubstantiated accusations after he insisted he would never support negotiating or paying ransom to Boko Haram.
Ndume noted that he had earlier denied the allegations during an interview on ARISE News, reiterating that he has never served, directly or indirectly, as a go-between for kidnappers and government officials or private individuals.
He explained that Kaigama initially contacted him after insurgents allegedly abducted hundreds of residents of Ngoshe and issued a 72-hour ultimatum demanding ₦5 billion for their release.
The senator also disclosed that he would institute legal action against Kaigama over what he described as defamatory statements.
He further called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations, stressing that the matter should be treated as a serious national security issue rather than a personal dispute.
