Mamu was going to Saudi Arabia to attend meeting of terrorist leaders, DSS alleges

The Department of State Services (DSS) has said that Tukur Mamu, negotiator for the release of victims of terrorist abductions, especially the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers, was on his way to Saudi Arabia to attend a meeting of leaders of terrorist organisations, when he was intercepted in Egypt and flown back to Nigeria.

The DSS told a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday that during its preliminary investigation, it found out that Mamu was involved in the supply of logistics and aiding and abetting of terrorism.

These are some of the allegations contained in an affidavit filed before the court and deposed by Hamza Pandogari, the legal officer to DSS.

The DSS averred that Mamu was intercepted by INTERPOL in Cairo, Egypt, on September 6, 2022, while on his way to Saudi Arabia for a clandestine meeting with commanders and top leaders of terrorist organisations across the globe.

Pandogari said, “That upon his interception and subsequent repatriation back to Nigeria, a duly signed search warrant was executed in his residence and office at No. 4, Ali Ladan Street, Sabon Kawo GRA and No. 14, Mamona Road, Anguwan Sarki, Kaduna State and various exhibits and items to establish his complicity with terrorists were recovered.”

READ: DSS claims military uniforms, huge cash found in Tukur Mamu’s house

Some of the items allegedly recovered from Mamu’s residence and office, according to the DSS, included $151; 20 Pounds Sterling; 1,530 Indian Rupees; one Saudi Riyald; 70 Dirham; N1,506,000; and 16 assorted foreign coins.

The DSS also alleged that two packs of pump action cartridges; 16 ATM (auto-mated machine) cards from both local and foreign banks; seven cheque books from different banks; six laptops; four tablets; 24 handsets and three international passports belonging to Mamu; one firearm licence; eight pieces of Nigerian Army uniforms; 16 pieces of Nigerian Naval uniforms, were among 34 items recovered.

The security agency said its preliminary investigation found that “the defendant (Mamu) has used the cover of his profession as a journalist to aid both local and international terrorist groups.

It also claimed that Mamu’s actions caused the deaths of many “security personnel in North-Central and North-East parts of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, Justice Nkeonye Maha granted the ex-parte motion brought by counsel to the DSS, Ahmed Magaji to further detain Mamu for 60 days.