By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Self-styled terrorist negotiator who claims to be working to ensure that bandits lay down arms and embrace peace in the northern region of Nigeria, received N50m ($34,000) from leader of an armed group that abducted train passengers in Kaduna in 2022, a witness of the Department of State Services (DSS) told a court on Tuesday.
Tukur Mamu received the said sum from ‘Shugaba’, whose group is believed to be responsible for the March 28, 2022 abduction of train passengers in the North West state of Kaduna.
At the resumed trial of the case on Tuesday, the DSS witness, also informed the court that the terrorist group had asked Mamu to teach them how to open a website where they can be documenting their activities.
Mamu is facing trial for offences bordering on terrorism, receipt of ransoms from families of victims of the Kaduna train attack, obstruction of activities of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), exchange voice notes with Boko Haram spokesperson, among others.
The DSS had earlier claimed that Mamu advised the terrorist group to negotiate directly with the family members of the abduction victims and not the Chief of Defence Staff’s Committee set up by the federal government.
Meanwhile, Mamu has filed a suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja challenging his designation as a “terrorist” by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi while standing trial of terror-related offences.
His trial was subsequently adjourned till February 23, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses of parties.
