DSS Reveals How Kidnap Ransom Fueled Negotiator’s Lavish Lifestyle

A Federal High Court in Abuja was informed on Wednesday that alleged ransom negotiator Tukur Mamu allegedly used funds from illicit negotiations with bandits to buy vehicles and finance overseas trips for himself and relatives.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Testifying behind a protective screen, the sixth prosecution witness (PW-6) said Mamu’s lifestyle “suddenly changed” during his involvement in negotiations linked to the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train attack, living “far above his means.” The testimony was presented under examination-in-chief by Department of State Services (DSS) counsel, David Kaswe.

During cross-examination, lead defence lawyer Johnson Usman (SAN) highlighted that Mamu had been arrested in Egypt while travelling with four family members he personally sponsored. PW-6 also confirmed that the defendant purchased two cars during the period in question.

When asked about the observed lifestyle changes, PW-6 reiterated, “The defendant was arrested in the company of four family members whom he sponsored on a trip. He also bought two cars during the negotiations.”

The defence, however, argued that the witness lacked knowledge of Mamu’s financial status before the train attack. Usman asked, “Since you did not have personal encounters with the defendant, you did not know his net worth,” to which PW-6 agreed. The defence noted that Mamu already owned three vehicles— a Toyota Venza, Mercedes Benz E350, and Hyundai salon car— two of which predated the 2022 attack. They also argued that he had previously travelled abroad with relatives for Hajj and Umrah.

Despite this, PW-6 told the court that the Federal Government never officially assigned Mamu to negotiate with terrorists or ransom takers. Citing DSS findings, he stated:

“He acted on his own for personal benefit… collected ransom from families of victims, facilitated delivery illegally, possessed illegal firearms, and provided terrorists with information to create a website. The cash recovered from his Kaduna residence exceeded legal thresholds. During the negotiations, his lifestyle suddenly changed, living far above his means.”

Prosecutors added that Mamu inserted himself into hostage negotiations for personal gain and was reportedly offered N50 million by the terrorist faction’s leader. Audio recordings extracted from his Samsung tablet and two mobile phones, seized by Egyptian authorities, allegedly captured conversations with the terrorist kingpin “Shugaba,” who instructed Mamu to take N50 million from a delivered ransom.

PW-6 admitted he did not personally verify Mamu’s travel details or examine his passport, relying instead on preliminary reports, although the passport was in DSS custody.

The court heard that while victims suggested multiple names to liaise with kidnappers, only Mamu agreed to lead the talks, despite not being part of the Chief of Defence Staff Committee tasked with securing hostage releases. The defence argued that only one abducted passenger had been released before Mamu’s involvement, challenging claims that he was pivotal in early recoveries.

The witness emphasized that Mamu’s role was unauthorized and not part of any official government negotiation channel.

Justice Mohammed Garba Umar adjourned further cross-examination of the witness to January 29, 2026.