DSS rearraigns Borno youth chief Samaila Kaigama over alleged terrorism and ransom assortment

The Department of State Services (DSS) has rearraigned Samaila Kaigama earlier than the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of aiding Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), gathering ransom and offering monetary assist to terrorists.

Following his rearraignment on Tuesday, October 14, Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered that Kaigama be remanded on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

The defendant is dealing with seven counts bordering on alleged terrorism, failure to reveal details about terrorist actions, receipt of ransom suspected to be meant to finance terrorism, cybercrime, incitement to public dysfunction and cash laundering. According to the fees, Kaigama allegedly established unauthorised communication with members of Boko Haram and ISWAP and negotiated ransom funds in July 2026.

The prosecution additionally accused him of withholding details about the actions of the terrorist teams that might have assisted safety businesses in investigating and prosecuting suspects. In one other rely, the Federal Government alleged that Kaigama obtained ransom cash from the household of a hostage regardless of having affordable grounds to imagine that the funds could be used to finance terrorism.

He was additionally accused of soliciting and mobilising monetary contributions from households of hostages in assist of ISWAP members. The prosecution additional alleged that Kaigama used WhatsApp, by means of a gaggle recognized as BOSYA, and Facebook to solicit ransom funds from victims’ households for onward transmission to terrorists.

According to the cost, the alleged transactions resulted in a lack of ₦1.8 million to the hostage’s household. Kaigama was additionally accused of mobilising members of affected communities to protest in opposition to Senator Ali Ndume and the Borno State Government, an act the prosecution described as incitement to public dysfunction.

The ultimate rely alleges that he knowingly retained ₦1.8 million paid into his account by the hostage’s household, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The prices had been introduced below varied provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Cybercrimes Act and the Criminal Code Act. The case was adjourned till November 13, 2026, for additional proceedings.