Senator Ali Ndume has strongly denied allegations linking him to ransom negotiations with Boko Haram terrorists, dismissing claims that he handled billions of naira in cash to secure the release of hostages in Borno State.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, the lawmaker representing Borno South clarified that he has never served as an intermediary between the federal or state government and insurgents, nor has he ever handled such vast sums of money.
”I said it already that in my life I’ve never seen one billion at once in cash, not to talk of five billion,” Ndume said.
”Five billion is not a small figure, even if it’s in the highest currency of one thousand.”
The senator questioned the credibility of the claims, demanding to know where such large amounts of physical cash would be stored, which bank accounts were involved, and who allegedly authorized the payments.
Ndume stated that the allegations surfaced after he publicly voiced his opposition to paying ransoms or holding talks with insurgents.
”I told him that I do not support negotiation with Boko Haram, not to talk of paying ransom, and that I think is where the problem started,” Ndume said, adding that his stance prompted “uncoordinated and contradictory statements” regarding his alleged involvement.
The controversy follows the arrest of Samaila Kaigama, president of the Borno South Youth Alliance, by the State Security Service (SSS).
Kaigama had linked the lawmaker to ransom talks aimed at freeing women and children abducted in Ngoshe, located within the Gwoza Local Government Area.
The allegations come shortly after Nigerian troops successfully rescued 360 captives held by terrorists in the Ngoshe community.