Inside the Life of a Bandits’ Negotiator: Ransom Money Spent on Lavish Cars and Vacations – DSS

On Wednesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja was informed that Tukur Mamu, an alleged ransom negotiator, allegedly made money through illicit discussions with robbers, which he used to buy cars and finance travel abroad for himself and his family.

The defendant started living “far above his means” during the negotiations related to the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train attack, according to the sixth prosecution witness, PW-6, who testified behind a protective screen.

“During the negotiations, the defendant’s lifestyle abruptly changed and he was living way above his means,” the witness said in open court during the Department of State Services (DSS) attorney David Kaswe’s chief interrogation.

Johnson Usman (SAN), the lead defense attorney, cross-examined PW-6, who said Mamu was detained in Egypt while traveling with four family members he directly supported. He also attested to the defendant’s acquisition of two vehicles during the ransom-talk period.

The witness stated, “The defendant was arrested in company of four of his family members whom he sponsored on a trip,” in response to Usman’s question about the lifestyle changes noticed. Additionally, the defendant purchased two vehicles while the discussions were ongoing.

The defense replied that Mamu’s pre-attack earnings and net worth were unknown to the witness.

Usman asked, “Confirm to My Lord that prior to March 28, 2022, you have never personally encountered the defendant.”

In response, the witness said, “Yes, My Lord.”

Usman went on, “You did not know the defendant’s net worth because you did not have a personal encounter with him.”

“That’s correct,” agreed PW-6.

Mamu owned three vehicles, according to the defense attorney: a Toyota Venza, a Mercedes Benz E350, and a Hyundai salon car. He claimed that the defendant had two of the three before to the train attack.

Additionally, the defense attorney contended that prior to the 2022 train assault, Mamu had been traveling overseas with family members for Hajj, Umrah, and other occasions.

Mamu had traveled overseas for the Hajj and Umrah with family members long before the year of the train attack, according to the defense.

But PW-6 also informed the court that Mamu was never given the task of negotiating the attack with terrorists or ransom takers on behalf of the federal government.

The witness quoted the DSS findings directly, saying, “He acted on his own for his own… The ransom paid by the victims’ relatives benefited him. On the terrorists’ behalf, he collected the ransom, verified the amount, and made the unlawful delivery possible. He was in possession of illicit weapons. He taught terrorists how to make websites. The amount of money found at his Kaduna home was more than what was allowed. His way of life abruptly changed during discussions, and he was living well over his means.

Mamu, according to the prosecution, meddled in talks between the relatives of the victims and the assailants for his own benefit.

Testimony during the middle week also disclosed that the terrorist faction leader allegedly offered Mamu a N50 million reward.

According to PW-6, talks involving the terrorist leader known as “Shugaba” were captured on an audio recording that was taken from the defendant’s gadgets, a Samsung tablet, and two cell phones that Egyptian officials had confiscated.

The individual identified as Shugaba allegedly complimented Mamu and told him to “remove N50m” from a delivered ransom for himself in the audio tape that was aired in court.

Despite his insistence that he was a careful investigator, PW-6 acknowledged that he did not check Mamu’s passport when questioned about whether travel data were confirmed.

Although he admitted that Mamu’s passport was in DSS custody, he claimed that accessing the passport was not essential because he relied on a preliminary report.

Usman responded to another defense point by stating that victims suggested several aliases to communicate with the abductors, a claim that the witness acknowledged.

The court heard that although victims did introduce their names, Mamu was the only one who agreed to spearhead negotiations despite not having been a member of the Chief of Defense Staff Committee that was previously established to ensure the release of hostages.

Usman refuted assertions that Mamu was essential to early recoveries, arguing that just one kidnapped passenger had been freed prior to Mamu’s involvement.

The witness insisted that Mamu’s position was neither formal nor authorized, emphasizing once more that he was not involved in any government negotiation track that was licensed.

The anti-terror investigation witness’s cross-examination was postponed by Justice Mohammed Garba Umar until January 29, 2026.