The lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has recounted how one Samaila Kaigame, the purported leader of Borno South Youth Alliance, wanted to use him to pay ransom for kidnapped victims.
Featuring in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ on Tuesday, Ndume said Kaigame repeatedly contacted him, claiming the terrorist group was demanding N5 billion to secure the release of abducted victims.
According to the lawmaker, Kaigame threatened that his people were in captivity, stressing that he does not want to donate towards their release.
Ndume said he did his best to connect him with security agencies and the right authorities.
“Kaigame demanded ransom, calling me to say Boko Haram was asking for N5 billion. He wanted to use me for the payment of ransom. I began suspecting him when he demanded that I contribute towards the payment of ransom.
“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.
“I can relate all these to politics because the government did that at one time. In 2011, it was alleged just because somebody who claims to be a Boko Haram member called my number and then I picked, they roped you into it.
“The same thing now. 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,” he said.