Senator Ndume Denies Allegations of Ransom Negotiations with Terrorists

In a recent interview on Channels Television's Politics Today, Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, vehemently denied claims that he was involved in negotiations with kidnappers or handled ransom payments. The allegations were made by Samaila Kaigama, the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, who accused Ndume of playing a role in the release of abducted residents of Ngoshe in Borno State. However, Ndume maintained that he has never participated in any ransom negotiations or handled large sums of money, stating, 'I have said it already. In my life, I have never seen ₦1 billion cash, not to talk of ₦5 billion.' The senator explained that his only involvement in the matter was informing security agencies about a video allegedly released by Boko Haram/ISWAP, in which the group demanded a ₦5 billion ransom for the abducted victims. Ndume emphasized that he reported the information to the appropriate authorities and did not engage in any further discussions or negotiations. He reiterated that he has never received or handled ransom money, nor has he ever negotiated with terrorist groups.