Borno South Senator Ali Ndume says Samaila Kaigame, described as a leader of the Borno South Youth Alliance, repeatedly contacted him with requests tied to ransom payments for kidnapped victims. In an interview on Arise Television’s “Prime Time” on Tuesday, Ndume said Kaigame claimed Boko Haram was demanding N5 billion for the release of abducted persons and that Kaigame wanted Ndume to be involved in paying the ransom. Ndume said he became suspicious after Kaigame asked him to contribute toward the payment and that he attempted to connect Kaigame with relevant security agencies and authorities. He said he refused to take part in any ransom payment. Ndume added that he does not support paying ransoms or negotiating with Boko Haram. He also referenced earlier experiences, including how similar contacts had been used against him politically in 2011, and he cited contradictions in Kaigame’s account, including claims about direct contact with the terrorist group. Ndume said he cannot confirm whether ransom was paid and stressed that his position remains against both ransom payments and negotiations.