The controversy arose from claims made by Samaila Kaigama, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, who accused Ndume of acting as an intermediary in ransom discussions for abducted residents of Ngoshe, Borno State. Responding to the allegations, Ndume emphasized, “In my life, I have never seen N1 billion cash, not to talk of N5 billion.”
Ndume stated that his involvement was limited to alerting security agencies after Kaigama informed him about a video purportedly released by Boko Haram/ISWAP, demanding a ransom of N5 billion. “I spoke with the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services, urging them to investigate these claims seriously, as they pertain to national security,” he said.
The senator indicated a breakdown in his relationship with Kaigama after he opposed any suggestion of negotiating with insurgents or paying ransom. “I told him that I do not support negotiations with Boko Haram, which likely fueled his contradictory statements about my involvement,” Ndume added.
Earlier, during an interview on ARISE NEWS, the senator reiterated that he had never acted, directly or indirectly, to facilitate ransom payments or negotiations with kidnappers. He emphasized the importance of addressing this issue as a national security concern, rather than a personal dispute.
Kaigama's accusations surfaced after a group of insurgents allegedly abducted hundreds of residents from Ngoshe and issued a 72-hour ultimatum for the ransom. Ndume has urged for a thorough investigation into the matter to clear his name and address the serious implications of the accusations.
As the situation unfolds, Ndume remains firm in his stance against negotiating with terrorist groups, advocating for a robust response from security agencies to protect the safety of the community.
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