Nigeria’s secret police, Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the arrest of Malam Tukur Mamu, former negotiator of the kidnapped victims of the Kaduna-bound train.
Terrorists on March 28, 2022 kidnapped scores of passengers from an Abuja-Kaduna train. At least eight passengers were also killed while several others were injured in the attack.
However, the DSS has confirmed that Mamu is in its custody.
Mamu is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Desert Herald Newspaper.
SaharaReporters earlier reported Mamu was arrested at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano on Wednesday afternoon.
The Kaduna-based published who was first arrested in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, was detained for 24 hours before being flown to Nigeria.
The DSS in a statement issued through its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, said the agency was questioning him over security issues.
The statement read in part, “The Department of State Services (DSS) has been inundated with enquires in respect of the arrest or otherwise of Tukur Mamu, the self-acclaimed Kaduna Train hostage negotiator.
“This is to confirm that Manu, as a person of interest, was intercepted by Nigeria’s foreign partners at Cairo, Egypt on 6th September, 2022 while on his way to Saudi Arabia.
“He has since been returned to the country, today, 7th September, 2022 and taken into the Service’s custody. The act followed a request by Nigeria’s Military, Law Enforcement and Intelligence Community to their foreign partners to bring back Mamu to the country to answer critical questions on ongoing investigations relating to some security matters in parts of the country. The public may wish to note that the law will appropriately take its course.”
Meanwhile, the management of Desert Herald Newspaper has condemned the arrest of Mamu, his two wives and two children.
The newspaper also called for the immediate release of its Editor and family members.
A statement issued by Desert Herald’s head of special operations and production, Ibrahim Mada, and obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, said “security operatives acting on Nigerian Government order arrested Malam Tukur and his two wives, Fatima Bashiru Mamu and Aisha Salisu Mamu as well as his two sons Faisal Tukur Mamu and Ibrahim Husaini Mamu.
“On Tuesday, 6th September 2022 Malam Tukur Mamu travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj with some of his family members.
“They travelled through Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano and departed exactly 2 pm on board of Egypt Airlines. They were billed to return on 20th September, 2022.
“However, immediately after their departure, we received a information (sic) from credible sources that the men and officers of NIA (National Intelligence Agency) stormed the airport with intent to stop him from travelling but rather came late but forcefully retrieved copies of his travelling documents from immigration.
“On arrival in Cairo on transit they were arrested and detained for almost 24 hours and they were to be deported back (sic) to Nigeria on the strict request and instructions of Nigeria government.
“Mallam Tukur is a responsible citizen that voluntarily engaged in negotiations that led to the release of about 20 passengers kidnapped during Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
“Recall that due to threat to his life and conspiracy from the side of security agents to frame him up, he withdrew from the said negotiations.
“The allegations, according to some sources that he was arrested by security operatives in Egypt for fleeing the country is unfounded and baseless.
“We hereby demand for (sic) their immediate and unconditional release.”
Leave a Reply