Kaigame tried to set me up over ₦5bn Boko Haram ransom payment – Ndume

Senator Ali Ndume has alleged that Samaila Kaigame attempted to involve him in raising a ₦5 billion ransom purportedly demanded by Boko Haram for abducted victims.

Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, said Kaigame repeatedly contacted him and pressured him to contribute towards securing the victims’ release.

Kaigame is the purported leader of the Borno South Youth Alliance.

Speaking on ARISE Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday, Ndume said he became suspicious when Kaigame moved beyond reporting the ransom demand and began asking him to contribute money.

“Kaigame demanded ransom, calling me to say Boko Haram was asking for ₦5 billion. He wanted to use me for the payment of ransom,” Ndume said.

“I began suspecting him when he demanded that I contribute towards the payment of ransom.”

The senator said Kaigame attempted to pressure him by claiming that his constituents were being held captive while he remained unwilling to contribute to their release.

Ndume said he responded by connecting Kaigame with security agencies and other relevant authorities.

He maintained that he had no knowledge of whether the government eventually paid any ransom but insisted that he opposed negotiations and payments to Boko Haram.

“I cannot speak for the government if the ransom was paid or not. I do not and will never support the payment of ransom or negotiations with Boko Haram,” he said.

Ndume suggested that the controversy might be politically motivated, drawing parallels with allegations levelled against him in 2011 after someone claiming to be a Boko Haram member contacted him.

“In 2011, it was alleged just because somebody who claimed to be a Boko Haram member called my number and I picked, they roped you into it,” he said.

The lawmaker also questioned a video involving Kaigame, claiming it contained contradictions about his alleged communication with Boko Haram.

“If you watch the video, you can find contradictions there from the beginning because this is somebody who is claiming that he has contact with Boko Haram,” Ndume added.