Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has strongly denied allegations linking him to negotiations with the Boko Haram insurgent group, insisting that he has never acted as an intermediary for the terrorists or received any money from the Federal Government to facilitate such talks.
The lawmaker made the clarification while responding to accusations made by the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, who claimed that Ndume played a mediatory role during negotiations for the release of abducted residents of Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Kaigama alleged that the Federal Government provided ₦5 billion for negotiations with the insurgents and claimed that only ₦1.9 billion eventually reached Boko Haram, while the balance could not be accounted for. The allegations have generated widespread public attention due to the sensitive nature of Nigeria’s prolonged battle against insurgency in the North-East.
However, appearing on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television, Senator Ndume categorically dismissed the allegations as false and baseless.
The former Senate Chief Whip maintained that he has consistently opposed negotiating with terrorist groups, stressing that his position has remained unchanged throughout the years.
Let me state this here, that I, up to now, and even in the future, do not support negotiating with Boko Haram or paying any ransom, Ndume said during the interview.
The senator emphasized that he has never served as a mediator between the Federal Government and Boko Haram and has never benefited financially from any negotiation involving the insurgents.
According to him, the claims are entirely unfounded and do not reflect his long-standing commitment to the fight against terrorism and insecurity in Borno State and the wider North-East region.
Ndume has been one of the most outspoken lawmakers on security matters, frequently calling for stronger military operations, improved intelligence gathering, and better welfare for members of the armed forces. Throughout his years in the National Assembly, he has repeatedly advocated for decisive action against insurgent groups rather than negotiations that could embolden terrorists.
The allegations surfaced amid renewed national conversations about strategies for tackling insecurity, including whether governments should negotiate with armed groups for the release of kidnapped victims. While some families and community leaders have supported negotiations as a means of saving lives, many security experts and public officials argue that ransom payments and direct negotiations often encourage further kidnappings and strengthen terrorist organizations.
Ndume reiterated that he belongs to the latter school of thought, insisting that governments should not reward criminal groups with financial incentives or legitimacy through negotiations.
The lawmaker’s denial comes as Nigeria continues to battle Boko Haram and its splinter factions, particularly in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states. Although military operations have significantly weakened the insurgents compared to the height of the conflict, attacks on civilians, security personnel, and rural communities continue to pose serious security challenges.
The controversy has also drawn attention because of Ndume’s close ties to communities in Borno State, where he has been actively involved in humanitarian and developmental interventions for victims of insurgency over the years. His critics have attempted to interpret those engagements as evidence of involvement in negotiations, a suggestion the senator firmly rejects.
As of the time of this report, no official government agency or security authority has publicly released evidence supporting the allegations made against the senator. Similarly, no criminal charges have been announced in connection with the claims.
Political observers say the allegations underscore the sensitivity surrounding counter-terrorism operations and the need for credible evidence before making public accusations that could affect the reputation of public officials.
For now, Senator Ali Ndume has maintained his innocence, insisting that he has never negotiated with Boko Haram, never accepted money to negotiate on behalf of the Federal Government, and remains opposed to ransom payments or any form of engagement that could strengthen terrorist groups.
The matter is expected to remain in public discourse as stakeholders await any further clarification or evidence from those making the allegations.
