Mamu, who is also the publisher of Desert Herald Newspaper, withdrew as lead negotiator after alleging that the Nigerian government was threatening his life.
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the detention of the self-acclaimed Kaduna train hostage negotiator, Tukur Mamu, who is also spokesman of the popular Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi.
The public relations officer of DSS, Peter Afunanya said in a statement on Wednesday that the clarification was necessary following an array of enquiries about Mamu.
“This is to confirm that Mamu, as a person of interest, was intercepted by Nigeria’s foreign partners in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday while on his way to Saudi Arabia.
“He was returned to the country on Wednesday and had been taken into the Service’s custody,” he said.
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The DSS spokesman noted that the arrest followed a request by Nigeria’s military, law enforcement and intelligence community to their foreign partners to bring him back to the country.
Afunanya said the request was for him to answer critical questions on ongoing investigations relating to some security matters in parts of the country.
The DSS spokesman added that the law would appropriately take its course in the matter.
Mamu negotiated the release of some persons who were abducted by terrorists following the attack on a Kaduna-Abuja train on March 28.
Mamu, who is also the publisher of Desert Herald Newspaper, withdrew as lead negotiator after alleging that the Nigerian government was threatening his life.