by Godwin Orozo Abuja-
ABUJA — A masked operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday told a Federal High Court that the leader of the terrorist group behind the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train attack instructed alleged negotiator, Tukur Mamu, to take ₦50 million from ransom funds “for his personal use.”
Testifying as the sixth prosecution witness (PW-6) in the ongoing terrorism trial, the DSS investigator gave what the prosecution described as “damning insights” into Mamu’s financial and logistical dealings with the terror cell.
Led in evidence by DSS counsel, David Kaswe, the witness said forensic analysis of Mamu’s Samsung tablet and mobile phones uncovered voice notes detailing ransom arrangements, financial discussions and requests for technical support from the terrorists.
Voice Notes: Ransom Cuts and Tech Support
The court listened to four audio recordings recovered after Mamu’s 2022 arrest in Egypt. According to the witness, the conversations featured Mamu, the terror leader known as “Shugaba”, and the group’s spokesperson, Baba Adamu.
Interpreting the contents, the witness said:
“The first voice note that played was for the defendant fixing a date for delivery of ransom.
The second voice note was the voice of Shugaba, the leader of the terrorist group. In the note, he appreciated the defendant’s effort and asked him to remove ₦50 million for his personal use from a particular tranche of ransom sent to them.”
The DSS operative added that the relationship went beyond financial mediation.
“The last voice note had Baba Adamu requesting the defendant to help procure speakers and a public address system for their preaching activities. The defendant responded that he was going to look into their request.
They also requested that the defendant teach them how to open a website for their terrorist activities.”
Attempts to Hide Assets
The witness told the court that Mamu attempted to conceal assets after sensing he was under surveillance. According to him, Mamu called his son-in-law, Mubarak Tinja, directing him to evacuate valuables from his Kaduna residence to a “safe location.”
“In compliance with his directive… some cars and cash were moved out of the house,” he said.
Recovered items included:
- About $300,000 cash
- Multiple foreign and local currencies
- Seven vehicles, including a Toyota Camry, Peugeot 5008, Lexus, Mercedes E350 and a Hyundai
The witness said Mamu admitted during interrogation that he gave the evacuation order and communicated with the terrorists in the voice notes presented in court.
Gun With Expired License, Missing Victims
The prosecution also tendered evidence that a pump-action gun recovered from Mamu’s home had a license that expired in December 2021, nine months before his arrest.
The court further heard that two victims of the Abuja–Kaduna train attack, who had earlier given written statements, declined to testify in person.
“The victims, a male and female, were no longer available because they expressed unwillingness to attend court due to fear and trauma,” the witness said.
Justice Mohammed Umar admitted the victims’ statements and the audio recordings into evidence.
The trial was adjourned to November 26 at 11:00 a.m. for continuation.
