How Tukur Mamu Was Detained In Egypt After Being Linked By DSS To Global Terrorist Group

The Department of State Services (DSS) testified before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday that the detained Abuja-Kaduna Train Kidnapped Victim Negotiator, Tukur Mamu, was a member of a global terrorist network that used the guise of journalism to commit crimes.

This is a new development, as www.bigpenngr.com can report.

The DSS’s claim is contained in an affidavit that was submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja to ask permission to keep Mamu in custody while the investigation is ongoing.

The agency claims that Mamu was apprehended while traveling to an international terrorist summit in Egypt. Mamu had reportedly negotiated the release of some victims kidnapped during the terrorist attack on the train between Abuja and Kaduna.

The DSS requested permission from the court to retain Mamu for further investigation in the affidavit supporting its ex-parte application, which is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1617/2022. This is because it has proven that Mamu funded acts of terrorism.

After hearing the argument, Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a detention order for Mamu for the following 60 days, adding that the agency could return to the court to request a renewal if the investigation was not completed within that time.

The DSS requested “an order enabling the State Security Service/applicant to detain the respondent (Mamu) for a period of Sixty (60) days in the first instance, pending the conclusion of investigation” in a motion dated and submitted on September 12 by its attorney, Mr. U.N. Dauda.

A legal officer with the DSS and the affidavit’s deponent, Mr. Hamza Pandogari, explained to the court why Mamu needed to be held in custody for 60 days while the investigation into the various acts of terrorism against him was ongoing.

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In the affidavit, it is stated that “the self-described Kaduna train negotiator exploit the opportunity to perpetrate, aid and abet as well as render support to both local and international terrorist organizations.”

Mamu was “intercepted by the Nigerian foreign partners at Cairo, Egypt, on September 6, 2022, while on his way to Saudi Arabia for a covert meeting with commanders and top leaders of terrorist organizations throughout the world,” the DSS continued.

The deponent claimed that following his capture and subsequent return to Nigeria, a duly signed search warrant was executed at his office and home located at No. 14, Mamona Road, Anguwan Sarki, Kaduna State and No. 4, Ali Ladan Street, Sabon Kawo GRA, and various exhibits and items proving his involvement with terrorists were found.

The agency claimed to have recovered a number of items from Manu’s home and office, including 151 dollars, 20 pounds sterling, 1,530 Indian rupees, one Saudi riyal, 70 dirham, 1,056,000 naira, and 16 different foreign coins.

Additionally, according to the DSS, Mamu was in possession of two boxes of pump action cartridges, 16 ATM (auto-mated machine) cards from both domestic and international banks, seven checkbooks from various banks, six laptops, four tablets, 24 phones, three international passports, a license to carry a firearm, eight Nigerian Army uniforms, and sixteen Nigerian Navy uniforms.

According to the agency, the preliminary investigation has “so far established, among others, is the offences of logistic supplier, aiding and abetting acts of terrorism, as well as terrorism financing.”

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The DSS in addition, claimed that the defendant (Mamu) has used the cover of his profession as a journalist to aid both local and international terrorist groups.

That the defendant’s actions in Nigeria’s North Central and North Eastern regions were responsible for several security personnel’s untimely deaths.

“That the defendant has subtly provided bandits and terrorists with several pieces of information that have escalated various acts of terrorism in Nigeria.

“That the investigation has taken on a more complex and wide-ranging scope, requiring time and advanced knowledge to be concluded.

“Some of the suspects who were involved in the defendant’s crimes are still at large, and releasing the defendant too soon would endanger the ongoing investigation.

“That approving this application is in the best interests of justice and national security.

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That Nigeria’s unity and peaceful coexistence are seriously threatened by the defendant’s and his associates’ activities.