A leaked audio recording purportedly featuring Senator Ali Ndume and a longtime associate has raised questions about the treatment of Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, the President of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA). Kaigama publicly accused Ndume of involvement in the alleged diversion of ransom money paid to secure the release of abducted residents of Ngoshe, Borno State. In the recording, a speaker identified as Ndume's longtime associate, addressed as Buba, says he confronted Kaigama over his public statements and claims to have "done something concerning him" after the youth leader appeared on television to make allegations against the senator.
The leaked conversation contains threats attributed to Ndume against a man over a social media post, although the transcript does not establish whether those threats are directly connected to Kaigama's case. Buba refers to Kaigama's appearances on television and questions what has happened to him despite his public statements. "I told Kaigama that 'You have been boasting and making all sorts of false claims. Where are you.' I have done something concerning him," Buba says in the translated transcript. He later adds: "I told Kaigama that despite all your bragging and claims, and despite appearing on NTA, Channels Television and other platforms, where are you?"
Kaigama had appeared on television and radio, alleging that about ₦5 billion was paid to secure the release of abducted women and children from Ngoshe. He also accused Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, of being involved in diverting part of the ransom money. Ndume and the Borno State Government denied the allegations. The senator has maintained that he neither received ransom money nor acted as an intermediary between kidnappers and the government.
In an interview with Channels Television, Ndume said he had never seen ₦1 billion in cash, let alone ₦5 billion. Ndume also said his relationship with Kaigama deteriorated after the youth leader allegedly pressed him to contribute personally towards ransom payments. He maintained that he opposed negotiations with Boko Haram and the payment of ransom. "I told them that there is need to bring us and hear him out as he said he wants to be heard, so that he will have the opportunity to prove all these his allegations," Ndume said, explaining that he contacted the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services (DSS) to urge them to invite Kaigama to substantiate his claims.
Kaigama was arrested by DSS operatives in Abuja on July 22, 2026, hours after appearing on television and radio to make allegations about the alleged ransom payment. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemned his arrest as an attempt to silence him. He was subsequently arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a seven-count charge involving allegations including terrorism, unauthorised communication with Boko Haram or the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), failure to disclose information about terrorism, ransom financing, cybercrime, incitement and money laundering.
The court ordered Kaigama's remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings and adjourned the case to November 13, 2026. Another section of the leaked audio contains threats attributed to Ndume against a man over a social media post. Ndume says he has seen a controversy involving the man, and demands that the post be removed. The transcript does not conclusively establish the identity of the person being threatened or whether this exchange is directly connected to Kaigama's case.
The remarks attributed to Buba about taking action against Kaigama, alongside the threats contained elsewhere in the recording, raise questions about the context of the conversation and what the speakers meant by their statements. The dispute between Ndume and Kaigama followed the abduction of residents of Ngoshe in Borno State and allegations concerning ransom demands made by Boko Haram or ISWAP.
Key points
- Kaigama was arrested by DSS operatives in Abuja on July 22, 2026, hours after appearing on television and radio to make allegations about the alleged ransom payment.
- Ndume has maintained that he neither received ransom money nor acted as an intermediary between kidnappers and the government.
- The court ordered Kaigama's remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings and adjourned the case to November 13, 2026.
