THE Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested the President of the Borno South Youth Association, Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, following a controversial television interview in which he made explosive allegations over alleged ransom payments to Boko Haram insurgents and bandits.
News Point Nigeria gathered that Kaigama was taken into custody shortly after appearing on Channels Television, where he spoke on security challenges in the northern region and made claims involving the release of abducted victims in Borno State.
During the interview, Kaigama alleged that the Federal Government paid ₦5 billion to Boko Haram insurgents to secure the release of abducted women and children from Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
He further alleged that Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, was involved in handling part of the money, claiming that only ₦1.9 billion was eventually paid to the insurgents while the remaining balance could not be accounted for.
Kaigama also claimed that he possessed evidence indicating that ransom payments were being made to Boko Haram insurgents and bandits, alleging further that authorities were making efforts to suppress media coverage of such payments.
However, the allegations have been strongly rejected by the Borno State Government, which maintained that no ransom was paid for the release of the victims.
The state authorities said the abducted women and children were rescued through a coordinated intelligence-driven operation involving security agencies, particularly the military and the DSS.
Following the broadcast, DSS operatives reportedly arrested Kaigama and took him into custody for questioning.
Although reports indicate that the intelligence agency is examining the claims made during the television appearance, the DSS has not officially confirmed that his arrest was directly linked to the allegations or disclosed the specific offences being investigated.
The development has further intensified discussions around the circumstances surrounding the rescue of the Ngoshe victims, alleged negotiations with insurgents and the broader debate over government responses to terrorism and abduction cases in the country.
Senator Ndume has already denied the allegations, insisting that he has never received ransom money or acted as a mediator between the Federal Government and Boko Haram.
The senator said he has consistently opposed negotiations with the terrorist group and challenged those making such allegations to provide evidence to support their claims
