Tukur Mamu: I Paid ₦80M Ransom for My Mum and Sister’s Release After Kaduna Train Attack – Witness

A witness testifies that he paid ₦80 million in ransom to secure the release of his mother and sister after the Kaduna train attack.

An individual, referred to as Prosecution Witness-D (PW-D) and wearing a mask, testified in the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday. He disclosed that he paid N80 million for his mother and sister’s release after the 2022 attack on an Abuja-Kaduna train.

During the ongoing trial of Tukur Mamu, a negotiator accused of involvement in terrorism-related activities, the witness offered this testimony.

The witness stated that his mother and sister, along with two other victims of the attack, were released. David Kaswe, representing the Attorney General’s Federation (AGF), led PW-D in evidence.

The witness, known only as “D,” reported that around 8:30 PM on March 28, 2022, he received word that his mother and sister were aboard the ill-fated train where passengers were kidnapped; some lost their lives, while others sustained injuries or were rescued.

He stated that the morning after the attack, he went to Kaduna Hospital where the injured passengers had been taken, but he could not find his mother or sister.

Two weeks following the train attack, he received a call from the kidnappers. They wanted him to speak with one of their victims, who turned out to be his sister.

He mentioned that he was in regular contact with the abductors for approximately two weeks before they demanded a ransom of N200 million from each victim’s relatives.

He mentioned that although some people paid, the witness revealed that a month after the ransom was requested, the kidnappers contacted him via his sister and provided names of four journalists who could facilitate negotiations.

The PW-D stated that he was provided with the names and phone numbers of four journalists.

He added that he reached out to three of the individuals, and they declined.

The witness, however, stated that out of the four journalists, only Tukur Mamu stepped forward “to accept the responsibility.”

Two days later, my sister called to reassure me that she was in good shape and advised me not to get agitated.

The witness testified in court that his sister had told him the kidnappers mentioned that neither his mother, nor his sister, nor others were their intended targets.

She said they were victims of circumstances, incidental rather than intended targets.

“I inquired about my late mum, and she told me that they were all doing well,” he said.

He mentioned that during their efforts to raise funds, one Friday he received calls from Gen. Lucky Irabor, the former Chief of Defence Staff, and Yusuf Bichi, the former Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS).

He mentioned that he was requested to meet with Irabor in Abuja.

He mentioned that he visited Irabor and shared his struggles along with the limited information he had.

He mentioned that Irabor instructed him to inform him (Irabor) of any discussions he had with Mamu.

He mentioned that Irabor subsequently connected him with a committee established by the Federal Government to aid in securing the release of the kidnapped victims.

He mentioned that the kidnappers ceased communication with him after he informed them that Mamu had agreed “to take up the responsibility.”

“As soon as they reached out to Tukur Mamu, their communication with us ceased. All information now comes from Tukur Mamu.”

“We will speak with Tukur Mamu, and he will inform us that they have requested a payment of 100 million each.”

“During the negotiation process, we needed to connect Tukur Mamu with the CDS committee.”

He mentioned that on a significant day, his sister called him and advised him to return to Mamu for negotiations.

The witness stated that he contacted Mamu, who informed him that his name had been recorded and would not engage in further discussion with him.

After some individuals began rescuing their loved ones, it reached a point where the kidnappers stopped communicating with the CDS committee.

“I should mention that Tukur Mamu labeled me as a government agent, which is why he doesn’t want to communicate with me.”

The witness mentioned that he had a disability and reached out to his relative, who used to be Mamu’s supervisor. The relative agreed to help and got involved in the situation.

He said the ransom was initially N200 million, lowered to N150 million, then further reduced to N100 million before they agreed to accept N80 million.

He mentioned that in August 2022, when he delivered the N80 million ransom in cash to Mamu at his compound in Kaduna, he requested him to convert it into dollars.

The witness stated that he did, receiving a total of 118,750 U.S. dollars.

He stated that two weeks later, Mamu contacted him to request additional funds, bringing the total to $120,000.

The witness stated that he delivered the money to Mamu on Thursday, but was told by him that the kidnappers were encountering challenges because of a swampy terrain.

He mentioned that after Jumai prayers on Friday, Mamu called the following day to inform him that he had made contact with the kidnappers.

I left Mamu’s compound in a rented Golf car loaded with bread and milk, as requested by the kidnappers.

He mentioned that roughly 20 minutes later, he got a call instructing him to follow a vehicle in front labeled with the number 211, and they proceeded towards Binin Gwari.

He mentioned that after leaving the town, they stopped and then the kidnappers arrived, bringing his mother, sister, and two other victims.

During cross-examination by defense counsel Abdul Mohammed SAN, the witness stated that he delivered both the money and a written note from Mamu to the kidnappers.

The witness stated that he was unsure if the CDS communicated with Mamu, as he was not part of the committee.

He explained that a previous commissioner had engaged in negotiations with Mamu.

He concurred with the defense counsel that the kidnappers mentioned they required four journalists, whom they would compensate to perform a task for them.

Regarding whether the kidnappers were dictating what actions should be taken, the judge stated that the court would ascertain this from examining the record.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mamu was arraigned by the Federal Government on March 21, 2023, for allegedly facilitating terrorist activities in the country.

The Islamic scholar from Kaduna was also accused of receiving sums in various currencies from the families of train attack victims, acting on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

The FG informed the court that investigations showed the defendant had received a total of $420,000 from the families of some victims and an additional N21 million from another group of families affected by the train attack.

The allegation also stated that Mamu hid the money he received for services provided to the terrorist organization at his home in Kaduna State.

The court was informed that the defendant, at some point in 2022 in Kaduna State, accepted ransom payments totaling N500,000 on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorist group from families of those held hostage during a train attack.

Furthermore, in the charge signed by Mr. M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), it was stated that the defendant engaged in voice note communications with Baba Adamu, who is identified as a spokesperson for Boko Haram, concerning acts related to terrorism according to FG’s allegations.

It claimed that the defendant violated the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022.

However, Mamu denied all the allegations.