SSS Reveals How Bandit Leader Offered Tukur Mamu ₦50m Cut From Ransom Payments

• An SSS investigator on Tuesday told a Federal High Court in Abuja that terror negotiator Tukur Mamu was offered a ₦50 million share by the leader of the Abuja–Kaduna train attackers as part of ransom dealings.

A State Security Service (SSS) investigator on Tuesday told the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court that Tukur Mamu was offered a ₦50 million share by Shugaba, the leader of the terrorist group behind the 2022 attack on the Abuja-Kaduna-bound train.

The SSS operative, who appeared as the sixth prosecution witness in the terrorism trial of Mamu, gave the testimony before Justice Mohammed Umar. He was led in evidence by SSS counsel, David Kaswe, and testified behind a protective screen for security reasons.

The witness disclosed that the terror group also asked Mamu to teach them how to open a website to support their activities. His testimony came while four voice notes were played in court, detailing Mamu’s conversations with the terrorists who kidnapped passengers during the train attack. The audio recordings were extracted from Mamu’s devices after his arrest in Egypt and repatriation to Nigeria.

“The first voice note played was of the defendant fixing a date for delivery of ransom. The second was a five-minute voice note from Shugaba appreciating the defendant’s efforts and asking him to remove ₦50 million for his personal use from a tranche of ransom,” the witness said.

He added that another voice note captured Baba Adamu, the terrorists’ spokesperson, requesting Mamu’s help in procuring speakers and public address systems for preaching. The group also sought guidance on how to create a website for their operations.

Mamu is accused of negotiating with the terrorists for personal financial gain by encouraging them to discuss ransom with individual families rather than engage the Chief of Defence Staff Committee established by the federal government. He allegedly collected ransoms on behalf of the group and facilitated their delivery.

The witness explained that after Mamu was intercepted in Egypt, he called his in-law, Mubarak Tinja, directing him to move cash, cars, and valuables from his home to avoid seizure by security agents.

Upon his return to Nigeria, investigators executed a search warrant at his Kaduna home and office, recovering cash in various currencies, vehicles, and other valuables. “Some cars and cash were moved out of the house to several locations,” he said. Investigators eventually traced about $300,000 and seven vehicles including a Toyota Camry (Muscle), Peugeot 5008, Lexus, Mercedes E350, and Hyundai.

Mamu also handed over his Samsung tablet and two phones, which were subjected to forensic analysis. The extracted voice notes formed part of the interrogation evidence. During questioning, the witness said Mamu admitted ordering Mubarak to move his valuables and confirmed communicating with the terrorists via voice notes.

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He also confessed to owning a pump-action gun recovered from his home, though its licence had expired in December 2021.

The court admitted several pieces of evidence, including the recorded voice notes on compact discs and flash drives, eight statements made by Mamu, and video recordings of interrogations. Statements written by two victims of the train attack were also admitted, although they were unwilling to testify due to fear and trauma.

Mr. Kaswe informed the court that he would file an application requesting an inspection of the recovered items. Justice Umar adjourned the case to November 26 at 11:00 a.m. for continuation of trial.