Ndume Threatens Legal Action Against Kaigama Over Alleged ₦5 Billion Ransom Claims

Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, has threatened legal action against Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama following allegations linking him to the handling of an alleged ₦5 billion ransom connected to the release of hundreds of abducted residents of Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The controversy began after Kaigama, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, alleged that a ₦5 billion ransom was raised for the release of 416 abducted women and children but claimed that only ₦1.9 billion reached the kidnappers, alleging that the remaining ₦3.1 billion was withheld. Kaigama publicly called on Senator Ndume to account for the alleged balance. These allegations have not been proven in court, and no security agency has publicly confirmed them.
Responding during an interview on ARISE NEWS, Ndume categorically denied ever acting as an intermediary between kidnappers and either the government or private individuals. He maintained that his only involvement was receiving information from Kaigama about a video purportedly released by Boko Haram/ISWAP demanding a ₦5 billion ransom, after which he immediately alerted the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the military, and other relevant security agencies.
The senator reiterated his longstanding opposition to negotiating with or paying ransom to terrorist groups, insisting that he has never supported such arrangements. According to him, any suggestion that he participated in ransom negotiations is false and defamation.
Ndume also accused Kaigama of attempting to involve him in the ransom process and later soliciting money from desperate families of abductees. He alleged that when Kaigama began requesting that people pay money into a designated account without achieving results, he severed all communication with him. Ndume claimed to possess evidence relating to those transactions.
Describing the matter as one that goes beyond personal disagreement, Ndume said the allegations raise serious national security concerns. He disclosed that he had contacted security agencies and urged them to conduct a comprehensive investigation, stating that both he and Kaigama should be invited to provide evidence. He added that he is prepared to institute legal proceedings because the allegations, if left unchallenged, amount to defamation and could undermine public confidence in efforts to combat terrorism.
As of now, no court has ruled on the allegations, and no official findings have been released by the DSS or other security agencies regarding the disputed ransom claims. The matter therefore remains under public scrutiny, with competing claims from both parties awaiting independent investigation.