A Department of State Services (DSS) investigator has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that publisher Tukur Mamu betrayed the federal committee set up to negotiate the release of victims of the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
The operative, who testified anonymously as the sixth prosecution witness (PW-6) in Mamu’s ongoing terrorism trial, gave his evidence before Justice Mohammed Umar while being led by DSS counsel, David Kaswe. For security reasons, the witness testified behind a screen but identified Mamu in court.
“I am a public servant. I have been with the DSS for 15 years,” the witness said. “Currently, I work in the investigation department and I have been working there for about 10 years as an investigator.”
He recounted how on March 28, 2022, terrorists attacked a Kaduna-bound train, killing several passengers, injuring others, and abducting over 60 people.
According to him, a government-backed committee supervised by then Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd), was tasked with negotiating the hostages’ release. During talks, the terrorists demanded the release of their detained family members in exchange for the captives.
“The terrorists consulted with some of the hostages and recommended names of persons who they felt could negotiate on their behalf,” the witness said.
“All those contacted declined, except the defendant, who offered himself to negotiate on behalf of the terrorists.”
Once Mamu became involved, he reportedly advised the terrorists to appoint him as sole negotiator, sidelining the official committee.
“Attempts by the committee to reach the terrorists became a challenge because they no longer wanted to communicate except through the defendant,” the witness added.
He told the court that Mamu later undermined a planned prisoner swap, promising the release of about 30 hostages in exchange for eight detained relatives of the terrorists. However, only 11 hostages were freed.
“The committee felt betrayed and believed the defendant undermined its efforts for his own personal gains,” the operative testified.
“An interim report highlighting his role was sent to the government and to us at the DSS.”
He further alleged that Mamu encouraged the terrorists to negotiate directly with families of the remaining hostages, claiming the government was “not serious” about securing their release.
“The defendant reached out to the families and collected various sums as ransom, which he packaged and delivered to the terrorists,” the witness said.
“He also included some packages — rings and a folded note — whose contents were unknown.”
The DSS investigator added that Mamu had publicly taken credit for the hostages’ release in an August 2022 Desert Herald publication.
Justice Umar admitted several items as evidence, including the committee’s interim report, photocopies of the publication, photos of rings and the note, and a certificate of compliance. The matter was adjourned to November 25 and 26 for continuation of the PW-6 testimony, during which audio recordings of Mamu’s alleged interactions with terrorists are expected to be presented.
Earlier, a DSS exhibit keeper (PW-5) testified, confirming the recovery of cash, weapons, and vehicles linked to Mamu.
“There were exhibits brought to us on September 9, 2022, and later following further investigations,” he said.
“My job mainly is to collect, store, and record exhibits.”
Among the recovered items were $300,000, ₦25,690,500, and multiple foreign currencies, including 1,840 Egyptian pounds, 1,700 Indian rupees, 115 UAE dirhams, and 2 Qatari riyals.
Other exhibits included a Pump Action Delta Magnum shotgun, 47 rounds of cartridges, mobile devices (Oppo, Samsung phones, and a Samsung tablet), and seven cars — including a Toyota Camry, Honda CR-V, Mercedes Benz E350, Lexus 250, Hyundai Equus, and two Peugeot models.
The vehicles, the witness said, “had not been serviceable for a long time” and remain in DSS custody. Justice Umar admitted all the exhibits after Mamu’s counsel, Johnson Usman (SAN), chose not to object immediately, reserving the right to do so during final addresses.
