Ndume rejects ₦5bn ransom allegation, vows legal action against accuser.

Senator Ali Ndume has dismissed allegations that he received ransom money or served as a middleman in negotiations between kidnappers and the government, describing the claims as false, dangerous and without foundation.
The Borno South senator was reacting to accusations made by the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, following the abduction of residents of Ngoshe in Borno State. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Ndume insisted that he had never handled such huge sums of money.
“I have said it before. In my entire life, I have never seen ₦1 billion in cash, let alone ₦5 billion,” the lawmaker declared.
Ndume explained that his only involvement in the matter began after Kaigama informed him about a video allegedly released by Boko Haram/ISWAP demanding a ₦5 billion ransom for the release of hundreds of abducted Ngoshe residents, who were reportedly given a 72-hour ultimatum.
He said he immediately reported the information to the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS), urging both agencies to invite Kaigama to provide evidence in support of his allegations.
According to Ndume, he asked the security agencies to hear Kaigama out, stressing that the issue should be treated as a serious national security concern because it involves terrorist groups operating within the region.
The senator said the disagreement between him and Kaigama began after he refused requests to contribute personally toward paying ransom to the insurgents.
He maintained that he does not support negotiating with Boko Haram or paying ransom, adding that his refusal appeared to have triggered the allegations now being made against him.
Ndume noted that he had previously denied the claims during an interview on ARISE News, reiterating that he has never acted, directly or indirectly, as an intermediary between kidnappers and either government officials or private individuals.
He also disclosed that he would institute legal action against Kaigama for defamation, while calling on the DSS, NSA and other relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate the allegations.
According to him, accusations bordering on terrorism financing and national security cannot be ignored or swept aside, insisting that the authorities must establish the truth.
Ngoshe, a community in Borno South, has suffered repeated attacks by insurgents, while security experts say ransom payments demanded by Boko Haram and ISWAP have become a significant source of funding for terrorist activities in the Lake Chad region.