The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, gave the Department of State Services, DSS, the nod to further detain the Abuja-Kaduna train kidnap negotiator, Mr. Tukur Mamu, for 60 days.
The detention order, which was granted by Justice Nkeonye Maha, is to allow the security agency to conclude its ongoing investigations into Mamu’s alleged involvement with terrorists.
It will be recalled that Mamu was on September 6, arrested at Cairo, Egypt, while he was on his way to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj with his family members.
He was subsequently brought back to the country and immediately taken into custody by the DSS.
In an ex-parte motion it brought before the court on Tuesday, the DSS, sought permission to further retain him in its custody.
Justice Maha said she was minded to grant the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1617/2022, having considered the submissions of counsel to the DSS, Mr. Ahmed Magaji, as well as the affidavit evidence that was attached to the application.
Mamu was arrested in Egypt and detained by the International Criminal Police Organisation, Interpol, at the Cairo International Airport, while awaiting a connecting flight to Saudi Arabia.
The DSS, through its Public Relations Officer, Dr. Peter Afunanya, earlier confirmed his arrest and detention, even as it described him as “a person of interest”.
The agency disclosed that Mamu was “intercepted” in Egypt, following a request by Nigeria’s military, law enforcement and intelligence community to their foreign partners to bring him back to the country to answer critical questions on ongoing investigations relating to some security matters in parts of the country.
It however warned the public to refrain from making unguarded comments on the matter.
“The service wishes to state that it is not distracted with some of the skewed narratives pervading the media space.
“Instead, it requests to be left alone to concentrate on the ongoing investigations, the outcomes of which have remained mindboggling.”
“Meanwhile, the service will cease further comments on the subject matter since the court will determine its course.
“Consequently, the public is hereby enjoined to desist from making unguarded utterances and await the court proceedings”, a statement from the security agency further read.
