DSS accuses Tukur Mamu of aiding, abetting local, international terrorist organisations

• As Federal High Court okays detention for 60 more days

Department of State Services (DSS) has alleged its preliminary investigation established the offences of “logistics supplier, aiding and abetting acts of terrorism,” against terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mamu.

The agency, in an affidavit in support of its ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1617/2022, filed before Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court, Abuja, also alleged the investigation established act of terrorism financing against Mamu.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had, earlier on Tuesday, reported that Justice Maha granted the motion ex-parte moved by counsel for the DSS, Ahmed Magaji, seeking an order to detain Mamu for 60 days in the first instance, pending conclusion of the investigation.

The motion was dated and filed on September 12 by U.N. Dauda, a lawyer with the security outfit.

NAN reports that Mamu is the sole respondent in the suit.

In the affidavit in support of the ex-parte motion deposed to by Hamza Pandogari, a legal officer with the DSS, he said it was necessary for Mamu to be detained for 60 days in the first instance, pending the conclusion of investigation of various acts of terrorism against him.

Pandogari alleged that Mamu, “the self acclaimed Kaduna train negotiator, exploited the opportunity to perpetrate, aid and abet, as well as render support to both local and international terrorist organisations.

“That the respondent was intercepted by Nigeria’s foreign partners at Cairo, Egypt, on September 6, 2022, while on his way to Saudi Arabia for a clandestine meeting with commanders and top leaders of terrorists organisations across the globe.

“That upon his interception and subsequent repatriation to Nigeria, a duly signed search warrant was executed at his residence and office at No. 4, Ali Ladan Street, Sabon Kawo GRA and No. 14, Mamona Road, Anguwan Sarki, Kaduna State, and various exhibits and items to establish his complicity with terrorists were recovered.”

The agency listed some of the items recovered from Mamu’s residence and office as: 151 dollars, 20 pounds sterling; 1,530 Indian Rupees; one Saudi Riyal; 70 Dirham; N1,506,000; and 16 assorted foreign coins.

The DSS also alleged that two packs of pump action cartridges; 16 ATM (automated machine) cards from both local and foreign banks; seven cheque books of different banks; six laptops; four tablets; 24 handsets and three international passports belonging to Mamu; one firearm licence; eight pieces of Nigerian Army uniforms; 16 pieces of Nigerian Navy uniforms, were among 34 items recovered.