Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
The Department of State Services (DSS) reported yesterday that the abducted Abuja-Kaduna train passengers’ release negotiator, Tukur Mamu, and media consultant Sheikh Ahmad Gumi were detained as a result of a request from the Nigerian government. According to DSS, Nigeria made the request through its armed forces, police, and intelligence agencies.
Interpol detained Mamu in Cairo, Egypt, and he has since been in the DSS’s custody after being extradited.
The organization claimed Mamu has responses to offer in relation to some crucial queries about active security investigations.
Mamu was apprehended as Yusuf Bichi, director-general of DSS, predicted that the nation’s simmering security issues will be resolved by the security agencies through efficient information collecting and proactive operational strategy.
The DSS acknowledged the development without providing much details in a statement released by its spokesman, Dr. Peter Afunanya, who claimed to have received a flood of inquiries about Mamu.
This is to clarify that Manu, as a person of interest, was detained by Nigeria’s international allies in Cairo, Egypt, on September 6, 2022, as he was en route to Saudi Arabia, according to the statement. Since then, he has been brought back to the nation today, September 7, 2022, and is now in the service’s custody.
“The act came as a result of a request made by the Nigerian military, law enforcement, and intelligence community to their foreign partners to return Mamu to Nigeria so that he could provide important information regarding ongoing inquiries into certain security-related issues in certain parts of the nation. The general public might want to be aware that the law will operate as intended.
In contrast, Bichi spoke at the closing ceremony of a two-day workshop with the title “Terrorism Financing Risk (TFR) for Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism/Countering Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF)” that was held at the DSS headquarters in Abuja.
Representatives from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), judges, and other security services attended the event, which was organized by DSS.
In order to contain the country’s rogue non-state actors, Bichi emphasized that robust counterterrorism strategy and intelligence gathering were essential.
While urging cooperation between the security agencies to combat the nation’s enemies, he claimed that attempts by the security forces to address security concerns would be ineffective in the absence of intelligence.
In the fight against terrorism, security agencies must work together, according to Bichi. The importance of intelligence is equal. Our efforts will be ineffective if there is no intelligence.
“Intelligence is a must for counterterrorism success. You need to understand both yourself and your adversary. Chances of success are 50/50 if you don’t know who you are and who your enemy is.
Only via intelligence gathering can you successfully prosecute your cases, determine how to combat terrorism, and learn about the allies and tactics of your adversary.
“Strategy comes in second to intelligence. Since the terrorists are also bright individuals, you can win the fight with strategy.
He explained that the war against criminals would be won with the military’s existing strategy.
He stated, “With present efforts, we are going to bring it to an end. We have been fighting terrorism for more than a decade, but we have yet to see the conclusion.
Security personnel detained Mamu in Cairo as he traveled to Saudi Arabia to perform the smaller hajj with his family.
He was held at the Cairo International Airport for 24 hours, per agency reports, before being returned to Nigeria.
Mamu reportedly departed Nigeria on Tuesday, and the Egyptian security services searched his possessions but discovered nothing suspicious.
He was not reachable via phone, and WhatsApp messages addressed to him were not received.
Prior to withdrawing due to suspected attempts at blackmail, Mamu had arranged the release of some of the victims of the kidnapped train passengers.
Before being set free, the bandits allegedly demanded several million naira from those who were set free.
When reached, Sheikh Gumi claimed that although he had heard about the incident, he was unaware of the specifics.
