UPDATED: Kaduna-Abuja train negotiator arrives Nigeria, in DSS custody

The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed that the Abuja-Kaduna train hostage negotiator, Mallam Tukur Mamu, who was arrested by the Interpol in Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday, is in its custody.

Mamu, spokesperson for the Kaduna-based cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, was flown to Abuja on Wednesday. He had said that he was released in Cairo after been interrogated and nothing incriminating found on him.

The publisher of Desert Herald newspaper was accompanied by his two wives and one other person.

A statement on Wednesday by DSS spokesman Peter Afunanya reads: “This is to confirm that Mamu, as a person of interest, was intercepted by Nigeria’s foreign partners at Cairo, Egypt on 6th September 2022 while on his way to Saudi Arabia.

“He has since been returned to the country, today, 7th September 2022, and taken into the Service’s custody.

“The act followed a request by Nigeria’s military, law enforcement, and intelligence community to their foreign partners to bring back Mamu to the country 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”.

Mamu negotiated the release of some of the victims of the 28 March Abuja-Kaduna train attack.

He recently announced his withdrawal as the lead negotiator in securing the release of the hostages of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack after he alleged a threat to his life by the Nigerian government.

The terrorists are still holding several of the victims captive.