Kaduna train passenger-bandit crisis negotiator exposed; has links with terrorist group in Egypt, other African countries, beyond

The DSS and other security agencies in Nigeria have insisted Tukur Mamu, the self-appointed negotiator in the Kaduna train passengers-bandit crisis is a person of interest, even beyond Nigeria.

The hints first appeared in the DSS press statement following the arrest of the Desert Herald publisher at the Aminu Kano International Airport on Wednesday.

“The DSS has been inundated with enquires in respect of the arrest or otherwise of Tukur Manu, the self-acclaimed Kaduna train hostage negotiator,” Peter Afunaya, the agency spokesperson said.

Reports have showed Mamu’s connection goes deeper than just facilitating the hostage release as relatives pay millions of naira—N2bn so far—in ransom.

“We have been monitoring all his activities and evidence abound to hold him to account,” the Daily Trust quoted a security source as saying.

“He was arrested in Egypt based on Advance Passenger Information (API) because he came under international security scrutiny following his activities here at home and beyond the shores of Nigeria shortly after the Kaduna train attack.”

The source thereafter hinted at Mamu’s connection with terrorist organisations in Africa and beyond.

“I can assure you that Mamu has high linkage with terror groups in Egypt, especially in Sinai and by extension Libya, the Sahel and other parts of West Africa on this side, and the middle- east on the other side,” the source told the newspaper.

Mamu claimed the Egyptian security agency found nothing against him, though. He insisted he and is family members were on their way to Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj.

But Nigerian security agencies said the hajj might be a red herring.

“He scheduled many things in his itinerary including a medical check-up and lesser hajj but we believed it was just a decoy for him to carry out nefarious activities. He plans to end up in Dubai where he has made a rendezvous with those people,” another source told the newspaper.

Mamu’s communication with the Kaduna terrorists has also been intercepted, and possibilities of another incident could not be ruled out, the source added.

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The intelligence sources also query Mamu’s source of livelihood. He’s known as Desert Herald publisher ad media aide of Sheikh Gumi—which the agencies could not reconcile with his lifestyle.

“There are reported inconsistencies between monies paid and what was actually remitted to the kidnappers,” the report stated.

In his so-called negotiation, he’s also swaying too much to the side of the terrorists—which is more highly profitable than being on the victims’ side.

For instance, Mamu, the security agent told the newspaper, recently scuttled a deal to release 23 of the hostages for N25 million. He wanted the ante upped—or no deal at all.

From the time Mamu undertook to be the face of the terrorists the victims’ families can see, and up till now, the federal government has not paid open attention to his solo effort. It took a similar stand when Mamu’s boss Gumi was advocating for bandit amnesty.