The Department of State Services on Friday raided the homes of some relatives of Tukur Mamu, the publisher of Kaduna-based Herald newspaper who negotiated the release of some of the hostages in the March Kaduna-Abuja train attack.
The Special Projects Manager of the newspaper, Ibrahim Mada, said in a statement that the DSS stormed the residences of Mamu’s brother and his in-law, during which his brother-in-law, Abdullahi Mashi, was arrested while phones, cash and other valuables were taken away.
The organisation however cautioned the DSS against the media trial of Mamu, who is also a media consultant to Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi. Mamu is currently being held by the DSS following his arrest on Tuesday in Cairo.
Mada in the statement explained that the ‘military accoutrements’ found at Mamu’s residence by the DSS operatives belonged to his nephew, who is a naval officer.
The statement partly read, “We urge the Department of State Services to avoid a media trial of Mallam Tukur Mamu (Dan Iyan Fika), publisher, Desert Herald newspaper whom they arrested and kept in detention since Tuesday, September 6.
“The DSS in a press release on Thursday September 8, 2022 titled, ‘Update on Tukur Mamu’ claimed during their raids on his residence and office in Kaduna that a large sum of money in various currencies and denominations as well as military accoutrements were recovered.
“While the DSS did not indicate the actual amount of the so-called large sum found in his house and office, we want to make it clear that the ‘military accoutrements’ found in his house are military kits (uniform and beret) belonging to his son, Yahaha Bello, a naval officer who graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy. Bello was brought up by Tukur and he lives in his house.”
He recalled that about two weeks ago, Mamu’s younger brother, Muhammad Saleh Mamu, an Air Force officer was killed while on counter terrorism mission in Zamfara State.
While speaking on the raid, the statement added, “Apart from detaining Tukur Mamu with his two sons, Faisal Tukur Mamu and Ibrahim Husaini Mamu, DSS operatives early this morning (Friday), at 12am stormed the residence of Abdullahi Mashi, collected the phones of the residents as well as cash and other valuables in the house and whisked him away. Mashi is an in-law to Mamu.
“The DSS also raided the apartment of Ibrahim Husaini Mamu at about 3am. They could not find anything incriminating in all the houses they raided.”
Mamu was said to be on his way to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj when he was detained at the Cairo International Airport.
Confirming the arrest, the management of the Desert Herald Newspaper, said the arrest was an attempt to intimidate its publisher.
The PUNCH had reported that some terrorists attacked the Abuja-Kaduna AK-9 train on March 28 and abducted some passengers.
