Abuja–Kaduna Train Attack: Rescued Victims Petitioned DSS Against Tukur Mamu, Witness Tells Court

A Department of State Services (DSS) investigator has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that several victims rescued from the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train attack formally lodged written complaints against alleged terrorist negotiator, Tukur Mamu.
The disclosure was made on Thursday by the DSS operative, who testified as the sixth prosecution witness (PW-6) in Mamu’s ongoing terrorism trial before Justice Mohammed Umar. The witness, who gave evidence behind a protective screen for security reasons, confirmed the petitions while being cross-examined by defence counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN.
Responding to a question on whether any of the rescued victims—including the wife of the Commandant in Jaji—petitioned the DSS against the defendant, the witness answered in the affirmative, adding that the complaints were submitted in writing.
At that point, prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, urged the court to restrain the defence from questions that could expose the identities of protected victims or witnesses. Usman countered that none of the names mentioned were witnesses before the court, arguing that a trial in camera should not prejudice the defendant.
The DSS investigator told the court that he interviewed six rescued victims during the investigation, none of whom was interviewed in the presence of Mamu.
Under further cross-examination, the witness clarified that he was not a vocologist and had no formal training in sound analysis, but confirmed that an audio exhibit tendered by the prosecution was an extract from a transcribed conversation allegedly between Mamu and the terrorists.
He disclosed that while former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd.), was not interviewed, General Abdulkadir Abubakar was. He also confirmed interviewing Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and General Jalingo, but said none of the interviews took place in Mamu’s presence. He added that Major General Idris Garba and an official of Defence Military Intelligence, Hannafi, were not interviewed.
The witness further admitted that Mamu had requested a face-to-face interrogation involving members of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Committee, but said the request was not granted.
PW-6 also told the court that Mamu identified himself as a publisher of a newspaper and magazine, claiming journalism as his source of income—a claim the DSS said it investigated.
Following the conclusion of cross-examination, Kaswe informed the court that the prosecution intended to close its case, paving the way for the defendant to open his defence. Usman, however, said the defence would apply for a date to do so, declaring that they would not file a no-case submission.
Justice Umar subsequently adjourned the matter to April 23 for Tukur Mamu to open his defence.