Senator Ali Ndume has denied allegations that he acted as a government intermediary in ransom negotiations with Boko Haram, insisting he has never supported negotiating with the insurgent group or paying ransom.
Speaking in an interview with Arise Television, the Borno South senator said the claims made by Borno South Youth Alliance President Samaila Kaigama were false. He recalled that Boko Haram attacked Ngoshe village on March 3, abducting 416 residents, and that Kaigama later informed him the insurgents had issued a 72-hour ultimatum demanding a N5 billion ransom.
Ndume said he immediately alerted the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the military, and other security agencies after receiving a video from Kaigama. He added that he shared Kaigama’s contact details with the authorities and later advised him to deal directly with security agencies.
The senator said he is not privy to any government decisions on ransom payments and reaffirmed his long-standing opposition to negotiating with Boko Haram.
“I don’t support, and I’m not supporting, and I will never support negotiating with Boko Haram, talk less of paying them ransom. If the government decides to do that, then you should ask the government,” Ndume said.
