A Department of State Services (DSS) investigator has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that several victims rescued after the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train attack formally complained against Tukur Mamu, the alleged terrorist negotiator currently standing trial.
The DSS operative, who appeared as the sixth prosecution witness (PW-6), made the revelation on Thursday while testifying before Justice Mohammed Umar during cross-examination by defence counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN. For security reasons, the witness testified behind a screen.
Responding to questions from the defence, the investigator confirmed that some rescued victims—including the wife of a commandant based in Jaji—submitted written complaints against Mamu to the DSS. He also disclosed that six victims were interviewed during the investigation, none of them in the presence of the defendant.
At a point, prosecuting counsel David Kaswe urged the court to restrain the defence from asking questions that could expose the identities of victims or protected witnesses. However, Usman argued that trial proceedings conducted in camera should not prejudice the defendant’s right to a fair hearing.
During further cross-examination, the witness admitted he was not a vocologist and had no formal training in sound analysis. Nevertheless, he confirmed that an audio exhibit tendered by the prosecution was an extract from a transcribed conversation allegedly between Mamu and the terrorists.
The investigator also revealed that while former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd.), was not interviewed, several senior military officers were questioned during the investigation. These included General Abdulkadir Abubakar, Sheikh Gumi, and General Jalingo—all interviewed outside Mamu’s presence.
He further confirmed that Mamu had requested a face-to-face interrogation involving members of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Committee and other key figures connected to the negotiations, but the request was not granted.
Under questioning, the witness acknowledged that Mamu claimed to be a newspaper and magazine publisher and stated that his income came from journalism. He added that the DSS investigated this claim.
Following the conclusion of cross-examination, the prosecution announced its intention to close its case. Defence counsel, however, declined to file a no-case submission, stating that the defence would rather open its case to allow the full facts to emerge.
Justice Mohammed Umar subsequently adjourned the trial to April 23 for Mamu to open his defence.
