DSS raids house, office of terrorists negotiator over N2bn ransom racketeering, ties with terrorist groups

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Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have invaded the Kaduna residence of arrested terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mamu.

The DSS invaded his house in the early hours of Thursday in about 20 vehicles in what eyewitnesses described as a commando-styled operation.

“They ransacked the house and carted away documents, phones and laptops. Those in the house were ordered to sign a document which they did not read before the officers took it back,” the witness quoted by Daily Trust said.

It was gathered that after raiding his house, they also went to his office in Kaduna.

Security sources said Mamu was arrested for his alleged involvement in collecting ransom and taking same to terrorists in exchange for kidnapped victims.

He was arrested at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano on Wednesday afternoon after being arrested in Egypt and detained for 24 hours before he was flown back to Nigeria.

Security sources said beyond his relationship with insurgents in Nigeria, Mamu was also arrested because of his “Strong ties with a terror group in Sinai area in Egypt”.

Sinai Peninsula is the northeastern extremity of Egypt and adjoins Israel and the Gaza Strip on the east. Like in Nigeria, despite the decrease in the frequency of attacks in recent years, militants remain active and pose a serious threat to Egyptian security operatives and other symbols of Sinai.

Mamu denied wrongdoing saying he was on a legitimate journey to Saudi Arabia.