A Department of State Services (DSS) investigator on Tuesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that alleged terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mamu, betrayed the Federal Government committee set up to negotiate the release of victims of the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train attack.
Testifying before Justice Mohammed Umar, the operative said Mamu, who volunteered to negotiate with the terrorists after others declined, later became the sole intermediary between the group and the government.
According to the witness, Mamu allegedly undermined the committee’s efforts, altered agreed prisoner-swap terms, and advised the terrorists to demand ransom directly from hostages’ families.
He claimed Mamu collected various sums of money from families, delivered them to the terrorists, and included “rings and a folded note” in one of the exchanges.
Earlier, another DSS witness presented cash, weapons, foreign currencies, and seven vehicles allegedly seized from Mamu as evidence.
The court admitted the exhibits and adjourned the case to November 25 and 26 for the continuation of testimony.
Mamu, publisher of Desert Herald, denies the allegations, insisting he acted only to help free the hostages.
