The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, yesterday, gave the Department of State Services, DSS, permission to further detain the Abuja-Kaduna train kidnap negotiator, Mr. Tukur Mamu, for 60 days.
The detention order, granted by Justice Nkeonye Maha, is to allow the security agency to conclude its ongoing investigations into Mamu’s alleged involvement with terrorists.
It will be recalled that Mamu was, on September 6, arrested at Cairo, Egypt, while on his way to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj with his family members.
He was subsequently brought back to the country and immediately taken into custody by the DSS.
In an ex-parte motion it brought before the court, yesterday, the DSS sought permission to further retain him in its custody.
The agency, in an affidavit it filed before the court, alleged that Mamu aided both local and international terrorist organisations.
DSS, in the said affidavit that was deposed to by one Hamza Pandogari, maintained that Mamu who is the publisher of Dessert Herald, used the cover of journalism to perpetrate his deeds.
It told the court that the detained publisher was on his way to attend a clandestine meeting with top terrorist commanders, when he was intercepted in Egypt through the help of the International Police, Interpol.
The DSS alleged that preliminary investigations revealed that Mamu might be involved in terrorism financing, saying “the self acclaimed Kaduna train negotiator exploited the opportunity to perpetrate, aid and abets as well as render support to both local and international terrorist organisations.
“The respondent was intercepted by the Nigerian foreign partners at Cairo, Egypt, on 6th September, 2022, while on his way to Saudi Arabia for a clandestine meeting with commanders and top leaders of terrorists organisations across the globe.
“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”, the affidavit read.
More so, the DSS, told the court that following the execution of the search warrant, various incriminating items were recovered from Mamu’s residence and office.
It listed some of the 34 recovered items to include; 151 dollars, 20 pounds sterling; 1, 530 Indian Rupees; one Saudi Riyald; 70 Dirham; one million, five hundred and six thousand naira; 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 of 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 also recovered.
“Preliminary investigation so far established, amongst others, the offences of logistic supplier, aiding and abetting acts of terrorism as well as terrorism financing against him. The defendant (Mamu) has used the cover of his profession as a journalist to aid both local and international terrorist groups.
“The action of the defendant has orchestrated the untimely death of several security personnel in North Central and North East parts of Nigeria. The defendant has discreetly given several information to bandits and terrorists that escalated various acts of terrorism in Nigeria.
