By our reporter 26.11.2025
‘Terrorist negotiator’ Tukur Mamu allegedly received N50 million from the terror group that ambushed an Abuja–Kaduna train in March 2022 killing eight passengers and kidnapping 108 others.
A Department of State Services (DSS) witness told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday that Mamu received the money from the terrorist leader “Shugaba” being his share of the ransom payment. Mamu it was gathered also helped the terror gang expand their operations and boost their presence online. Mamu a Kaduna based Desert Herald newspaper and magazine publisher is facing trial on terrorism charges. He has been under DSS arrest and detention since September 7, 2022. His trial continued on Wednesday.
The DSS witness presented audio recordings from Mamu’s phones conversations with Shugaba during interrogation after he was arrested in Egypt and brought back to Nigeria.
“The first voice note that played was for the defendant (Mr Mamu) fixing a date for delivery of ransom.
“The second voice note that played for five minutes was the voice of Shugaba, the leader of the terrorist group.
“In the voice note, he was appreciating the defendant’s effort and asked him to remove N50 million for his personal use from a particular tranche of ransom sent to them.
“The last voice note that played, Baba Adamu, who is their spokesperson, was heard requesting the defendant to help them procure speakers and public address system for their preaching activities and 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 activities,” the witness said.