An operative from the Department of State Service (DSS) has testified in court that the Federal Government never authorized Tukur Mamu to negotiate with terrorists responsible for the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
Unauthorized Negotiations Exposed
The DSS witness, whose identity remains protected for security reasons, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Mamu deliberately bypassed an official committee established by the Chief of Defence Staff. This committee was specifically created to handle negotiations for the release of hostages taken during the devastating train attack.
According to the witness, Mamu acted independently for personal gain rather than under any government mandate. "The defendant 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," the operative stated during Wednesday's hearing.
Financial Benefits and Illegal Activities
The testimony revealed disturbing details about Mamu's alleged involvement in the ransom process. The DSS operative claimed that Mamu facilitated communication between terrorists and victims regarding ransom payments, collected money on their behalf, confirmed payment amounts, and illegally organized the transfer of funds.
More seriously, the witness alleged that Mamu profited significantly from these negotiations, with his lifestyle showing noticeable improvement during the period. "He bought two flashy cars during the negotiation period," the witness noted, adding that substantial cash amounts recovered from Mamu's Kaduna residence exceeded legal thresholds.
The operative further shocked the court by claiming that Mamu possessed firearms unlawfully and even provided technical assistance to terrorists by showing them how to create a website.
Defense Challenges Investigation Methods
During cross-examination, defense counsel Johnson Usman, SAN, questioned the thoroughness of the DSS investigation. Usman pressed the witness on whether the agency verified how Mamu and his family members traveled to Egypt, given that DSS maintains presence at all Nigerian airports.
The witness admitted he wasn't aware of their travel details, though he confirmed Mamu's passport remained in DSS custody. When challenged about his diligence as an investigator, the witness maintained he was thorough, despite acknowledging he never examined the defendant's passport during the investigation.
Usman also highlighted that only one hostage was released before Mamu's involvement, suggesting the defendant's participation led to more releases. However, the witness maintained that while victims suggested several potential negotiators, only Mamu agreed to engage directly with the terrorists.
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar has adjourned further cross-examination of the witness to January 29, 2026, allowing both sides to prepare additional evidence and arguments in this high-profile terrorism financing case.
