Samaila Kaigama, President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, has alleged that terrorists involved in negotiations over the release of kidnapped victims in Ngoshe, Borno State, later complained that they received only ₦1.9 billion despite believing that ₦5 billion had been released as ransom.
Kaigama made the claim while recounting his involvement in mediation efforts surrounding the hostage crisis, saying the alleged complaint was made to him after negotiations had been concluded and the captives had regained their freedom. Watch D Video Here ➤
Speaking during an interview aired on Channels Television on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Kaigama discussed the negotiation process and made further allegations about how the ransom payments were handled.
According to him, the abductors completed the negotiations and accepted the money that was delivered to them before later raising concerns about the amount they actually received.
Recalling the incident, Kaigama said, “They went ahead, concluded the negotiations, and received the ransom.”
He explained that after the process had ended, the kidnappers contacted him with complaints about the payment.
Continuing his remarks, he said, “Later, they complained to me that they received ₦1.9 billion, whereas ₦5 billion had been released.”
Kaigama alleged that the armed group questioned what had happened to the balance of the money they believed had been approved.
According to him, they asked, “Where is the remaining ₦3.1 billion?”
He said the complaint surprised him and formed part of the issues that emerged after the negotiations had been completed.
Kaigama presented the account as part of his personal experience during the mediation process, maintaining that the kidnappers themselves raised questions about the discrepancy between the amount they allegedly received and the amount they believed had been released.
The Borno South Youth Alliance president did not provide documentary evidence during the interview to support the claim, and the allegation has not been independently verified.
