DSS Rearraigns Kaigama Over Alleged Boko Haram, ISWAP Links, ₦1.8m Ransom

The Department of State Services (DSS) has rearraigned Samaila Kaigama before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged links to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including accusations of ransom collection and terrorism financing.

Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered that Kaigama be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre following his rearraignment on Tuesday. The court adjourned the case until November 13, 2026.

Kaigama is facing seven counts bordering on terrorism, failure to disclose information about terrorist activities, suspected terrorism financing, cybercrime, incitement to public disorder and money laundering.

According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly established unauthorised communication with members of Boko Haram and ISWAP and negotiated ransom payments in July 2026.

He was also accused of withholding information about the activities of the terrorist groups that could have assisted security agencies in investigating and prosecuting suspects.

In another allegation, the prosecution claimed that Kaigama received ransom money from the family of a hostage despite allegedly having reasonable grounds to believe the funds would be used to finance terrorism.

The charges further alleged that he solicited financial contributions from families of hostages to support ISWAP members.

Prosecutors claimed that Kaigama used WhatsApp, including a group identified as BOSYA, and Facebook to solicit ransom payments from victims’ families for onward transmission to terrorists. The alleged transactions reportedly resulted in a loss of ₦1.8 million to a hostage’s family.

The defendant was also accused of mobilising community members to protest against Senator Ali Ndume and the Borno State Government, an action the prosecution characterised as incitement to public disorder.

The seventh count alleged that Kaigama retained ₦1.8 million paid into his account by a hostage’s family, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The charges were filed under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Cybercrimes Act and the Criminal Code Act.

Kaigama’s case will resume on November 13, 2026, as proceedings continue before the Federal High Court in Abuja.