Ndume: I Alerted Security Agencies, Never Acted as Ransom Intermediary

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has denied allegations that he acted as an intermediary between Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents and the government or private individuals in negotiations for the release of residents abducted from Ngoshe in Borno State.

Ndume, who spoke during an interview on ARISE News on Tuesday, said his involvement in the matter was limited to alerting relevant security agencies after he was contacted by Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama over an alleged ransom demand linked to the abduction.

The senator also rejected allegations that he diverted part of an alleged ₦5 billion ransom purportedly paid for the release of 416 women and children abducted from Ngoshe.

He described the allegation as false and insisted that he had never, directly or indirectly, negotiated with kidnappers on behalf of the government or private individuals.

“I have never, directly or indirectly acted as an intermediary between kidnappers and any government or private individuals. Not at all,” Ndume said.

The senator was responding to allegations attributed to Kaigama during an interview on Radio Now 95.3 FM and in statements issued through the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA).

Kaigama had reportedly accused Ndume of diverting part of the alleged ransom said to have been paid in connection with the release of the abducted residents.

Ndume, however, maintained that the allegations were baseless and said his actions after being contacted by Kaigama were focused solely on bringing the matter to the attention of security authorities.

According to the senator, Kaigama contacted him after insurgents allegedly released a video demanding ₦5 billion within 72 hours, with threats to kill the captives, disperse them or forcibly marry off some of the women.

Ndume said that after receiving the video, he immediately asked Kaigama whether the matter had been reported to security agencies.

He said he subsequently contacted relevant authorities, including the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the military.

“He contacted me several times. Then at the end of it, when I saw the video when he sent the video, I called him and I said, ‘Have you contacted the security agencies?’ What I did, because of the bad experience I had, I immediately told him that I was going to reach out to NSA, DSS and other relevant security agencies, even the military. And I did. I shared his contact with those agencies,” he stated.

Ndume said he had retained records of his communications with Kaigama and had also reported the matter to security agencies.

He argued that the allegations should be approached as a matter of national security and investigated on their merits rather than treated as a personal disagreement between the individuals involved.

The senator's account, however, does not independently establish whether a ransom was paid or whether negotiations took place. Ndume said he was not privy to any alleged payment and that the government or Kaigama would be in a position to clarify the matter.

Ndume also said he became suspicious of Kaigama's intentions when he was allegedly asked to contribute money towards the ransom.

The senator said he rejected the request, maintaining that he had consistently opposed ransom payments and negotiations with terrorist groups.

“He made those allegations, and let me say that ab initio, when he mentioned the issue of payment of ransom, I told him I don’t want to be involved… The time I began suspecting him… was when he demanded that I should contribute money for the ransom,” Ndume said.

He said his position on ransom payments had remained consistent, arguing that paying terrorists could encourage further abductions and strengthen the capacity of insurgent groups to continue their activities.

Ndume further stated that he had no information about whether the alleged ₦5 billion ransom was eventually paid.

“I’m privy to a lot of information, but not about payment of ransom. Because my position on ransom payment ab initio, or even negotiating with Boko Haram, is clear: that I don’t support, I’m not supporting, and I will never support negotiating with Boko Haram, talk less of paying them ransom,” he said.

The senator's comments come against the backdrop of persistent insecurity in parts of Borno State, where Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents continue to pose a security challenge despite sustained military operations.

The region has experienced years of insurgency, with civilians frequently caught between attacks by armed groups, military counter-insurgency operations and the wider humanitarian consequences of the conflict.

Ndume said he had no objection to calls for an investigation into the allegations, urging security authorities to invite all parties involved and establish what actually transpired.

He maintained that a transparent investigation would help clarify the circumstances surrounding the alleged ransom demand, the abduction of the Ngoshe residents and any subsequent claims of payment.

The senator said he had nothing to hide and was prepared to cooperate with any legitimate investigation into the matter.

He also rejected claims that Boko Haram and ISWAP were observing a ceasefire, pointing to recent attacks and continued insurgent activities in Borno State as evidence that the security threat remains active.

According to him, his priority has consistently been the protection of his constituents and the rescue of abducted persons, rather than participation in ransom negotiations.

Ndume said he would continue to press security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue victims of abduction and strengthen security operations across Borno South.

The allegations surrounding the Ngoshe abductions are likely to attract further scrutiny as questions remain over the circumstances of the reported abductions, the alleged ransom demand and whether any payment was ultimately made. Any definitive conclusion on the matter, however, would depend on the outcome of an official investigation and verification of the competing claims.