Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has denied allegations that he served as an intermediary in ransom negotiations with Boko Haram or ISWAP, saying claims by Borno South Youth Alliance President Samaila Kaigama are inaccurate.
Speaking during an interview with Arise News, Ndume said Boko Haram invaded Ngoshe village in Borno South on March 3 and abducted 416 residents. He said that about a month later, Kaigama sent him a video released by the kidnappers.
According to Ndume, Kaigama told him the insurgents had issued a 72-hour ultimatum demanding a N5 billion ransom or the victims would be killed, dispersed, or the women forcibly married off.
Ndume said he immediately contacted the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the military, and other security agencies, sharing Kaigama’s contact details. He added that he later instructed Kaigama to stop contacting him and deal directly with the authorities.
Responding to Kaigama’s allegations, Ndume suggested they were politically motivated, recalling that he was prosecuted for six years after answering a phone call from someone claiming to be a Boko Haram member in 2011. He maintained that investigations would establish the truth.
