DSS Witness Claims Tukur Mamu Negotiated Ransom Payments for Terrorists, Not Federal Government
Department of State Services (DSS) operative testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday that Tukur Mamu, who is standing trial on terrorism funding charges, was never appointed by the Federal Government to negotiate with the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in 2022.
The DSS witness, whose identity was withheld for security purposes, alleged that Mamu “was not mandated by the government to engage in any form of investigation or negotiation with terrorists, but acted on his own for his personal benefit”.
Allegations of Financial Benefit and Unlawful Acts
Led in evidence by DSS lawyer David Kaswe, the witness alleged that Mamu encouraged terrorists to discuss ransom payments with victims, collected money on their behalf, confirmed amounts, and “facilitated payments illegally”.
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The DSS operative further claimed that Mamu benefited financially from the negotiations and that his lifestyle “changed significantly” during that period. The witness also alleged that Mamu possessed firearms unlawfully and even provided terrorists with information on how to create a website.
The witness confirmed that a huge sum of money recovered from Mamu’s Kaduna residence exceeded the threshold permitted by law, and that Mamu was arrested in the company of four family members while on a trip to Egypt.
Defence Challenges Investigation Diligence
During cross-examination, defense counsel Johnson Usman, SAN, challenged the diligence of the DSS investigation.
Usman questioned whether the DSS had verified how Mamu and his family traveled to Egypt, noting the agency has operatives at all Nigerian airports.
The witness, however, admitted he did not open the defendant’s passport during the investigation, stating it was unnecessary because he worked with a preliminary report.
The defense further suggested that victims, not Mamu, proposed negotiators after the terrorists asked them to, a point the witness conceded, but insisted that only Mamu agreed to engage with the terrorists.
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar adjourned further cross-examination of the witness to January 29, 2026.
By PRNigeria
