Ndume Denies Ransom Allegations Amid Kidnapping Crisis

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, publicly denied allegations that he received ransom money or acted as an intermediary between kidnappers and the government. During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ndume stated, “In my life, I have never seen N1 billion cash, not to talk of N5 billion.” He responded to claims made by Samaila Kaigama, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, who linked him to ransom negotiations for abducted residents of Ngoshe in Borno State.

Ndume clarified that his only action was to alert security agencies after Kaigama informed him about a video from Boko Haram/ISWAP demanding a N5 billion ransom. He emphasized his opposition to negotiating with insurgents or paying ransom, which he believes led to Kaigama's allegations.

Ndume called for a serious investigation into the matter, framing it as a national security issue rather than a personal dispute.