A witness of the Department of State Services (DSS) disclosed to a Federal High Court on Tuesday that terrorist negotiator Tukur Mamu allegedly received the sum of N50 million from the leader of the group involved in the March 8, 2022, Abuja-Kaduna train attack and kidnapping of passengers.
The sixth prosecution witness stated that the payment was made by the group’s leader, popularly known as Shugaba, adding that the terrorists also requested for Mamu to expand their operations by setting up a website for their activities.
The witness further disclosed that Mamu also advised terrorists to avoid official channels during hostage negotiations and allegedly instructed the terrorists to directly communicate with the families of the abducted passengers and not the Chief of Defence Staff’s Committee, which was set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The Kaduna-based publisher is facing several terrorism-related charges, such as receiving ransom payment from the families of the kidnapped victims and handling funds for terrorist activities, amongst others.
In order for all parties to submit their final written addresses in line with section 49 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, the trial was thus adjourned to February 23, 2026.
More details later.