Authorities search home, office of Nigerian train hostages negotiator

KANO, Nigeria

The Nigerian secret service searched the office and home of bandits negotiator, Tukur Mamu, early Thursday in northern Nigeria, an offical told Anadolu Agency.

Security operatives took laptops, phones and other documents from both locations.

Manu was arrested for his alleged involvement in collecting ransom and taking terrorists in exchange for kidnapped victims.

Spokesman of the Department of State Services (DSS), Peter Afunnaya, said the agency is questioning Mamu about security issues.

Afunnaya said in a statement late Wednesday that Mamu is a person of interest and was intercepted by foreign security partners in Cairo earlier that day while on his way to Saudi Arabia.

“Mamu has since been returned to the country, today, 7th September, 2022 and taken into the Service’s custody to answer critical questions on ongoing investigations relating to some security matters in parts of the country. The public may wish to note that the law will appropriately take its course,” it said.

Mamu was arrested at the Aminu Kano international airport, along with his family, shortly after he was flown back to Nigeria.

Security sources who spoke to Anadolu Agency under the condition of anonymity said Mamu was also arrested for his alleged “strong ties with a terror group in the Sinai area in Egypt.”

He has denied any wrongdoing and said he was on a legitimate journey to Saudi Arabia.

Mamu told a Nigerian newspaper on Wednesday that he was being investigated by the Egyptian security agencies.

“I don’t have anything to hide and I am not afraid of them (DSS). I swear to God, I am not afraid of them. I just want the world to know what is happening,” he said.

Mamu became the negotiator between bandits and families of abducted passengers of a Abuja to Kaduna-bound passenger train that was attacked by bandits in March.