ABUJA – Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has dismissed allegations linking him to the payment or diversion of a purported ₦5 billion ransom for the release of abducted residents of Ngoshe in Borno State, calling for a full investigation by security agencies into the claims.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, the former Senate Chief Whip denied ever receiving government funds for ransom negotiations or engaging with terrorist groups. Ndume said he had already contacted the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS), urging them to invite his accuser, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, to substantiate the allegations.

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“I have said it already that in my life, I have never seen ₦1 billion at once in cash, not to talk of ₦5 billion,” Ndume said, insisting that his only involvement was notifying security agencies after Kaigama informed him of a Boko Haram/ISWAP video allegedly demanding ₦5 billion for the release of abductees.

The senator argued that the allegations should not be treated as political rhetoric because they involve terrorism financing and national security. He challenged Kaigama to produce evidence showing who authorised the alleged payment, how it was made and where the funds were transferred, stressing that such a transaction could not occur without a trace.

Ndume maintained that the Federal Government must thoroughly investigate the claims, warning that allegations involving terrorist organisations and billions of naira have serious security implications. “The government should take this matter very seriously because it borders on national security. It’s very dangerous. This has to do with international security because ISWAP and all these terrorist organisations are involved,” he said.