A witness from the Department of State Services has made startling revelations in court about alleged terrorist negotiator Tukur Mamu's involvement with the group responsible for the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
N50 Million Ransom Payment Exposed
The sixth DSS witness testified that Tukur Mamu received the sum of N50 million from ransom funds provided by the terrorist group led by 'Shugaba'. This group was directly involved in the infamous train attack and abduction of passengers that shocked the nation in March 2022.
The witness presented this evidence during the resumed trial of the case on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. The testimony came while interpreting audio recordings of Mamu during his interrogation in Egypt before his repatriation to Nigeria.
Teaching Terrorists Digital Operations
In a disturbing development, the DSS witness also informed the court that the terrorist group asked Mamu to teach them how to open a website for their activities. This revelation highlights the evolving digital capabilities that terrorist organizations are seeking to acquire.
The DSS had earlier claimed that Mamu advised the terrorist group to negotiate directly with victims' family members rather than through the Chief of Defence Staff's Committee established by the federal government.
Multiple Terrorism Charges Filed
Mamu is currently facing serious charges bordering on terrorism offences. These include receiving ransoms from families of victims of the Kaduna train attack that occurred on March 28, 2022.
Other offences listed against him include dealing with terrorist funds, obstructing the activities of the CDS committee established to negotiate with the terrorist group, and exchanging voice notes with the Boko Haram spokesperson among several others.
Legal Battle Over Terrorist Designation
Meanwhile, Mamu has taken legal action against the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), for designating him as a 'terrorist'. The alleged negotiator filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit to challenge this designation while he is standing trial.
Mamu's lawyer, Barrister J.J. Usman, argued that the Nigerian Sanctions Committee lacks the statutory mandate to pronounce Mamu as a terrorist financier. He emphasized that no court has made any pronouncement profiling the publisher as such.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has consequently adjourned the matter until February 23, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses from both parties regarding provisions of Section 49 of the Act and Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution.
Previously, Mamu had been sent to the custody of the State Security Service by the Federal High Court in Abuja after being arraigned on a 10-count charge by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
