Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has alleged that a man identified as Samaila Kaigame attempted to involve him in efforts to raise ransom for victims reportedly abducted by Boko Haram.
Speaking during an appearance on Prime Time on Arise Television on Tuesday, Ndume said Kaigame repeatedly contacted him, claiming that the insurgent group was demanding N5 billion for the release of the captives.
According to the senator, he became suspicious after Kaigame allegedly asked him to contribute financially toward the ransom payment.
Ndume stated that rather than engage in any ransom arrangement, he referred the matter to security agencies and the appropriate authorities.
“Kaigame called me, saying Boko Haram was demanding N5 billion for the release of the victims and wanted to use me to facilitate the payment. I became suspicious when he asked me to contribute towards the ransom,” Ndume said.
The lawmaker stressed that he neither supports ransom payments nor negotiations with Boko Haram, adding that he has never participated in such arrangements.
“I cannot speak for the government on whether any ransom was paid or not. I do not and will never support the payment of ransom or negotiations with Boko Haram,” he stated.
Ndume further suggested that the allegations surrounding the matter could be politically motivated, drawing parallels with previous incidents in which individuals were linked to insurgent groups based on alleged contacts.
He also questioned the credibility of claims made by individuals who assert they have direct communication with Boko Haram, pointing to what he described as inconsistencies in their accounts.
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