Senator Ali Ndume has strongly denied allegations that he acted as an intermediary in negotiations between kidnappers and the government or private individuals, insisting he has never participated in ransom discussions or facilitated payments to terrorist groups.
The Borno South lawmaker was responding to accusations by the President of the Borno Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, who alleged that Ndume was involved in efforts surrounding an alleged ransom demand linked to the abduction of hundreds of residents of Ngoshe in Borno State.
Speaking on ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Ndume said his involvement was limited to notifying security agencies after Kaigama forwarded him a video purportedly released by Boko Haram/ISWAP demanding ₦5 billion for the release of 416 abducted villagers.
“I have never, directly or indirectly, acted as an intermediary between kidnappers and any government or private individuals. Not at all,” the senator said.
According to Ndume, he immediately escalated the matter to the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the military and other relevant security agencies after receiving the video.
He explained that Kaigama had contacted him following the Eid-el-Kabir attack on Ngoshe, during which the insurgents allegedly abducted hundreds of residents and issued a 72-hour ultimatum for the payment of ransom.
Rather than becoming involved in negotiations, Ndume said he referred the matter to the appropriate authorities and declined any role in discussions over ransom payments.
“He wanted to use me or come through me for the payment of ransom. I told him I didn’t want to be involved. The best I could do was to connect him with the appropriate authorities,” he said.
The senator reiterated his long-standing opposition to negotiating with terrorist groups, maintaining that paying ransom only strengthens insurgent organisations and undermines efforts to combat insecurity.
“My position on ransom payment ab initio, or even negotiating with Boko Haram, is clear: I don’t support it, I’m not supporting it, and I will never support negotiating with Boko Haram, let alone paying them ransom,” he stated.
Ndume further alleged that he later severed ties with Kaigama after learning that money was allegedly being solicited from the families of abducted victims without producing results.
“I cut off communication with him when he even asked people to pay money into a certain account… He was extorting money because people are desperate,” he alleged.
The lawmaker also dismissed claims that Boko Haram and ISWAP had entered into a ceasefire, citing a recent attempted abduction of students at the Polytechnic in Monguno as evidence that insurgent attacks remain ongoing.
Calling for a full investigation, Ndume urged security agencies to summon both parties, describing the allegations as a matter of national security rather than a personal dispute.
He maintained that his priority remains pressing the government to strengthen military operations, rescue abducted victims and improve security across Borno State, insisting he has never supported or facilitated ransom payments to terrorist groups.
