A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday heard startling details of how the alleged terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mohammed Mamu, was allegedly offered ₦50 million by a terror commander in appreciation of his role in ransom dealings.
A Department of State Services (DSS) officer, testifying as the sixth prosecution witness, told the court that audio evidence extracted from Mamu’s devices revealed conversations with top members of a terrorist group.
According to NAIJAONPOINT : “The second voice that played for five minutes is that of Shugaba, the leader of a terrorist group, who appreciated the defendant’s efforts and asked him to remove ₦50m for his personal use from a particular ransom amount.”
He said the voice notes, alongside others allegedly involving Boko Haram operatives, were retrieved from Mamu’s Samsung tablet and phones after his arrest and repatriation from Egypt.
Naijaonpoint recalls that Mamu was arrested on September 7, 2022, at Cairo International Airport on suspicion of financing terrorism.
NAIJAONPOINT said Mamu immediately phoned his in-law, Mubarak Tinja, directing him to move cash, cars, and valuables from his Kaduna home to avoid detection by security agents.
A subsequent DSS search allegedly recovered $300,000, seven vehicles, including a Toyota Camry Muscle, Peugeot 5008, Lexus and Mercedes E350, alongside local currency and other valuables.
Mamu Admitted Communicating With Terrorists
NAIJAONPOINT said Mamu admitted to directing family members to relocate his valuables and also confirmed sending voice notes to the terrorists.
“He admitted communicating with the terrorists… the voice notes were extracted from his two phones and Samsung tablet,” the DSS witness noted.
DSS investigators also recovered a pump-action gun from Mamu’s home. Although he claimed it was licensed, NAIJAONPOINT said the licence had expired in December 2021.
NAIJAONPOINT said voice recordings played in court revealed terrorists asking Mamu for help procuring speakers for their preaching, and even requesting lessons on how to build a website. He added that 98% of the voice notes were in Hausa and were translated for investigators.
Two kidnap victims reportedly provided written statements to DSS investigators but declined to appear in court “due to fear and trauma.”
Their statements, one in English, one translated from Hausa, were admitted in evidence. The court admitted vehicle documents, victim statements, and compact discs containing the recorded conversations.
Prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, informed the court he would file a formal application for the judge to visit the DSS facility where recovered items are stored.
The case resumes by 11 am on Wednesday for further hearing.
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