A Department of State Services (DSS) operative has told the Federal High Court that Tukur Mamu, the man accused of negotiating with terrorists during the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train abduction, was allegedly paid N50 million from the leader of the group.
The DSS witness, who was testifying behind a screen for security purposes, claimed that audio notes taken from Tukur Mamu’s phones and tablet during his arrest in Egypt made reference to the payment.
Mamu allegedly had conversations with members of the terrorist organisation that was keeping the train passengers hostage, according to the audio recordings that were revealed in court.
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According to the witness, the terrorists’ leader, known as Shugaba, thanked Tukur Mamu for his role and told him to take N50 million “for his personal use” from a tranche of ransom money.
Another member of the group reportedly asked Mamu to help them get speakers and a public address system, and even teach them how to open a website.
The DSS agent added that before security personnel could investigate his Kaduna residence, Mamu asked a cousin to remove his jewels, money, automobiles, and other belongings. Later, investigators found many cars, foreign currency, and other objects in different places.
The witness further stated that Mamu acknowledged under questioning that he spoke with the terrorists and gave his in-law instructions to remove things from his home. Additionally, he acknowledged that he had a pump-action gun, even though its licence had expired.
A number of pieces of evidence were permitted by the court, including voice recordings, documentation pertaining to seized vehicles, and testimonies made by abducted victims who were too traumatised to appear in court.
Tukur Mamu, the publisher of the Desert Herald newspaper, was arrested on September 7, 2022, by Egyptian security officials at Cairo International Airport and subsequently repatriated to Nigeria on suspicion of financing terrorism.
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The Federal Government claimed that, for his own financial benefit, he mediated talks between Boko Haram terrorists and the relatives of hostages kidnapped during the March 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
Additionally, Tukur Mamu was charged with obtaining ransom payments from the relatives of victims who had been kidnapped, verifying the sums, and making sure the terrorists received them.
The trial was postponed to November 26 by Justice Mohammed Umar.
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