How a Bandits’ Negotiator Blew Ransom Money on Luxury Cars and Exotic Trips – DSS

On Wednesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja was informed that Tukur Mamu, the suspected ransom negotiator, bought cars and paid for trips abroad for himself and his family after allegedly making money through illicit discussions with criminals.

The sixth prosecution witness, simply known in court documents as PW-6, testified behind a protective screen that the defendant started living “far above his means” during the negotiations related to the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train attack.

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

PW-6 stated that Mamu was detained in Egypt while traveling with four family members he personally sponsored during cross-examination by main defense attorney Johnson Usman (SAN). Additionally, he attested to the fact that the defendant purchased two vehicles during the ransom-talk window.

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 seen. During the talks, the defendant also purchased two vehicles.

However, the defense retorted that the witness was unaware of Mamu’s salary or net worth prior to the incident.

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

“Yes, My Lord,” was the witness’s response.

“Since you did not have a personal encounter with the defendant, you did not know his net worth,” Usman continued.

“That’s correct,” PW-6 concurred.

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

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

The defense pointed out that long before the year of the train attack, Mamu had traveled overseas for the Hajj and Umrah with family.

PW-6, however, also informed the court that Mamu was never tasked by the Federal Government with negotiating the attack with terrorists or ransom takers.

“He acted on his own for his benefit,” the witness said, quoting exactly from DSS findings. He profited from the ransom that the victims’ families paid. On behalf of the terrorists, he collected ransom, verified the sum, and unlawfully enabled delivery. He had illicit weapons in his possession. He gave terrorists instructions on how to make a website. The amount of money found in his Kaduna home exceeded the legal limit. His way of life abruptly shifted during discussions, and he was now living well over his means.

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

The chief of the terrorist group allegedly offered Mamu a N50 million prize, according to testimony given during the middle week.

According to PW-6, an audio recording that was taken from the defendant’s devices—a Samsung tablet and two cell phones that were confiscated by Egyptian authorities—captured discussions involving the terrorist leader known as “Shugaba.”

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

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

Although he accepted 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 argument by saying that victims suggested several identities to communicate with the kidnappers, a claim that the witness acknowledged.

Even though Mamu was not a member of the Chief of Defence Staff Committee that was previously established to seek the release of the hostages, the court heard that although names were introduced by the victims, only Mamu agreed to conduct negotiations.

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

The witness emphasized once more that Mamu was not involved in any authorized government negotiation track and maintained that his position was neither formal nor authorized.

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