A Department of State Services (DSS)’ investigator, on Wednesday, said that alleged terrorist ally, Mr Tukur Mamu, collected ransom on behalf of terrorists.

It also claimed Mumu lived above his means during the abduction of the passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna bound train by terrorist group in 2022.

The DSS operative, who testified as 6th prosecution witness (PW-6) in the ongoing terrorism trial of Mamu, told Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The witness, who gave his testimony behind a witness screen for security reason, stated this while being led in evidence by the DSS lawyer, David Kaswe.

When the lawyer asked him what the findings of Mamu’s investigation was, the PW-6 saids their investigation revealed “that during the course of the negotiations, the defendant lifestyle suddenly change and was living way above his means.

“That the defendant encouraged the terrorists to negotiate the ransom payment with victims’ families.

“That the defendant benefitted from the ransom paid by the victims.

“That the defendant collected ransom on behalf of the terrorists, confirmed the amount and facilitated the delivery.

“That the defendant was in illegal possession of a fire arm.

“That the defendant provided information to the terrorists on how to create a website.

“That the cash exhibit, money recovered from the defendant was in excess of the threshold permitted by law.

“That the defendant did not share the voice notes that he used in negotiating with the terrorists with other members of the CDS Committee.”

Besides, the PW-6 said the findings revealed that Mamu was not at any time appointed to negotiate with the terrorists on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Committee which had the mandate to do so.

He said Mamu, rather, sidelined the CDS Committee to negotiate for the release of the train attack.

The witness further alleged that the defendant benefited financially from the ransom negotiations.

When Kaswe asked the witness to explain further on what he meant by Mamu’s lifestyle changing, he said the defendant was arrested in company of four of his family members who he sponsored on a trip to Egypt.

The officer added that Mamu also bought two flashy cars during the period of the negotiations.

While being cross-examined by Mamu’s counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, the DSS investigator confirmed that DSS has its personnel in every airport in Nigeria.

He, however, said he could not confirm that Mamu, together with his arrested four family members, travelled to Egypt through Kano International Airport.

“I am not aware of that,” he said.

The witness, who confirmed he is a diligent investigator, agreed that Mamu’s travel documents were currently with the DSS.

“Confirm to my lord that there is no formal invitation to the defendant by DSS before, during and after the train attack rescue?” the lawyer asked.

Responding, the officer said: “I am not aware of any because he is in Kaduna and I am in Abuja.”

When he was asked if he had ever sighted any invitation extended to Mamu by DSS in the course of his investigation, the witness said: “No, my lord.”

When Usman also asked if he had sighted any document where the defendant was declared wanted by DSS, the witness said: “No my lord.”

When he was asked to confirm that the normal routine for international travellers is that the passport must be stamped at the entry and exit points, the investigator said: “I have never worked at an airport before.”

The PW-6 also told the court that he had never travelled outside Nigeria before.

When the lawyer asked him if he had opened the defendant’s passport in his possession in the course of his investigation, he responded in the negative.

“Do you agree with me that as a diligent investigator, you are supposed to know his movement from Nigeria and where he is arrested?” Usman asked.

Responding, the witness said Mamu was brought with a preliminary report.

He admitted reading the preliminary report.

“Did the report narrates his movement from Nigeria to Egypt?” the lawyer asked.

The DSS lawyer objected to Usman’s question on the ground that the witness cannot be asked questions on a report that was not before the court.

But Justice Umar intervened and said the witness, having mentioned the preliminary report, can be questioned in that regard.

The witness then responded to the question in the negative.

He confirmed that the Kaduna-Abuja train attack took place on March 28, 2022.

The investigator agreed that before the attack, he had never had any personal encounter with Mamu.

“And since you have never met him, I will be correct to say that you do not know his net worth?” Usman asked.

“That will be correct my lord,” the investigator responded.

The officer insisted that contrary to the question put to him, it was the terrorists who asked the victims of the attack to suggest names of persons they (terrorists) could contact to be involved in the negotiation.

“So the victims suggested several names to the terrorists and the terrorists contacted all the persons individually.

“So out of all the persons contacted, only the defendant indicated willingness to be part of the negotiation,” he said.

The lawyer then asked the witness to confirm that when Mamu was contacted, he thereafter joined the CDS Committee but the investigator said: “That is not correct my lord.”

When Usman asked the witness how many hostages were released before Mamu joined the negotiation, he said: “One.”

Justice Umar consequently adjourned the matter until Jan. 29, 2026, for continuation of trial

Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero, has regained his freedom from the Department of State Services that arrested him two days ago.

The DSS  granted administrative bail, as reported by pro-democracy activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, in a tweet on Monday night.

“BREAKING: The fascist regime of @officialABAT has released the @NLCHeadquarters President Joe Ajaero from @OfficialDSSNG custody on bail,” he wrote on X.com.

Ajaero was arrested Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, while on his way to the United Kingdom for an official engagement.

Numerous organisations, civil society groups, activists and prominent individuals denounced Ajaero’s arrest and demanded his immediate release.

The NLC condemned the arrest and called for his prompt and unconditional release.

In a statement issued on Monday evening, the NLC’s National Administrative Council, led by Deputy President, Adeyanju Adewale, described Ajaero’s detention as “brazen and illegal” and a clear violation of workers’ rights and democratic values.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed anger at the arrest of its president,  Joe Ajaero, and called for his immediate release.

Ajaero was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, today September 9, by the Department of State Security agents.

In a statement signed by the NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, the union said it has put all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert in the light of “this troubling development.”

According to the statement, Ajaero has been detained and his whereabouts or his state of health have yet to be ascertained “as all efforts we have made to get in touch with him have proved abortive.”

The statement reads:

“This morning, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, was seized and whisked away by agents of the Nigerian State while on his way to the United Kingdom on the invitation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Britain.

“Comrade Ajaero was set to attend and address the global gathering of workers on behalf of Nigerian workers at the Congress of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK, a platform where critical discussions on workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness are discussed.

“We are yet to ascertain his whereabouts or his state of health as all efforts we have made to get in touch with him have proved abortive.

“We wish to categorically state that Comrade Ajaero has been detained without any legal warrant or formal instrument. Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive. His detention is therefore a brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation as he has not been declared wanted by any law enforcement body.

“His detention is a brazen act of intimidation and completely unjustified under the laws of our nation. The mere contemplation of not just stopping a lawful citizen from travelling but also sequestering his freedom is an affront to our democratic and natural rights as a people and as workers.

“This is an unmistakable demonstration of the height of lawlessness being perpetuated by the Nigerian government and its agencies in their bid to silence every voice of dissent and opposition in the country as the economic policies of the government continues to afflict the people with monumental suffering and hardship.

“Such actions are not only undemocratic but immoral as well as a direct affront to the fundamental rights of citizens and organizations to lawfully express their views and carry out their activities.

“In light of this troubling development, the Congress puts all its affiliates, State Councils, Civil society allies and all patriotic Nigerians on the highest state of alert. The Congress will not stand idly by while the rights of its leaders and members are trampled upon.

“Accordingly, we demand for the immediate and unconditional release of comrade Joe Ajaero. Furthermore, we call on the international community, human rights organizations, and all advocates of democracy to take note of this rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria.

“The world must bear witness to these assaults on human dignity, civil liberties, and the rule of law.

“The NLC remains resolute in its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and will not be cowed by the oppressive tacticsof the state. Once again, we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero and the cessation of all forms of harassment against labour leaders and the Nigerian working class including innocent citizens who hold dissenting opinions.

“We equally demand that the state frees all Nigerians languishing in various prisons around the country for exercising their democratic rights to protest in the #EndBadGovernance rallies around the country.

“Finally, the Organs of the Congress are in a closed door meeting whose outcome will be made available to the public.”

Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist,  Femi Falana, has said that the arrest of the Nigerian Labour Congress’ President, Joe Ajaero, is not connected to the earlier invitation by the police.

Operatives of the Department of the State Service (DSS) arrested Ajaero on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja while about to board a flight to the United Kingdom (UK).

He is billed to attend the conference of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, in the UK today, according to sources.

Although details of the arrest and the reasons are still sketchy as of the time of filing this report, sources say he has been handed over to the National Intelligence Agency .

“Comrade Ajaero was on his way to London to attend the ongoing TUC Conference when he was arrested at the airport this morning by the SSS. No reason has been provided for the arrest by the SSS.”
Details later…

Operatives of the Department of the State Services have arrested the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero.

PUNCH Online learned that Ajaero was arrested on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.

The NLC president was billed to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London, which begins today.

Confirming the development in a post via its official X handle, the NLC said Ajaero’s arrest is an assault on Nigerian workers.

The Department of State Security has released the Regional Editor West Africa of the Conversation Africa, Juwon Soyinka, who was arrested in the early hours of Sunday.

Although the agency has yet to state why he was arrested  the release followed the intervention of the spokesperson for the DSS, Dr Peter Afunayan.

His passport however was not released

The former Pioneer Editor of the BBC Pidgin Service was said to have been taken into custody at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State after alighting from a Virgin Atlantic flight from the United Kingdom.

There is anxiety among the loved ones of a Lagos-based journalist, Adejuwon Soyinka, as he has been reportedly arrested by the Department of State Service.

… denies invading Kano Emir’s Palace
Palace

The Department of State Service (DSS) has said that the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, is not in the town.

It said this to refute a claim that it (DSS) had stormed the Emir’s palace due to the political development in the state, in which the State House of Assembly has repealed the law that changed the Kano emirate structure.

The DSS on Thursday, denied the media reports alleging that it invaded the Emir of Kano’s Palace, saying it was untrue.
The state Director, DSS, Mr Muhammad Alhassan said this when he spoke with newsmen in Kano.
Alhassan said that the DSS only deployed its personnel to the palace as part of security arrangement for the visit of the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, to the Emir.
He said however, that the personnel were withdrawn, following the postponement of the visit due to the absence of the Emir in town.
He said that there was no iota of truth in the report alleging that DSS operatives stormed the Emir’s Palace in connection with the recent development at the State House of Assembly.
He urged Nigerians to disregard the false and malicious report, which he said was aimed at causing unnecessary tension and misinformation.
The State House of Assembly had on Thursday repealed the Kano Emirates Council Law, 2019, thereby dissolving the Emirates of Bichi, Gaya, Karaye and Rano.

Justice Binta Nyako has ordered the Department of State Security to always provide a clean place for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nmamdi Kanu, to receive his lawyers.

This is as  the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, ordered  Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to enter his defence following the dismissal of his fresh application for bail.

Nyako, in a ruling, fixed June 19 and June 20 for commencement of trial of Kanu on alleged treasonable felony.

Earlier in the ruling on the IPOB leader’s application, filed by his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, Justice Nyako dismissed the motion seeking an order setting aside the 2017 order revoking his bail for alleged abscondment from trial.

The judge also rejected Kanu’s request to be kept under a house arrest or be transferred to Kuje Correctional Centre in the event that his application for an order vacating the revocation order of his bail was overruled.

Justice Nyako, who said that the court had severally decided on the issue of his bail plea, said the only option left for him was to appeal the ruling.

The judge held that any further application on this ground would be regarded as an abuse of court process.

“I have found and held that the present place of applicant’s detention is is a proper place.

“Any further application will be regarded as an abuse of court proces,” she said.

However, the judge ordered the Department of State Service (DSS) to always grant Kanu access to his lawyers, not exceeding five people on every visiting day, contrary to the earlier ruling granting three persons per visit.

She also increased the number of days for visitation from two to three days.

She equally ordered that Kanu must be given “a clean place” to consult with his lawyers at the DSS detention facility, and his lawyers be allowed to take note.

The judge restated that the defendant should be allowed access to a doctor of his choice.

Meanwhile, shortly after the ruling, Kanu rose from the dock and objected to his continued trial before the court.

The IPOB leader told Justice Nyako that his continued trial was illegal and unconstitutional as it violated international treaties Nigeria freely entered into.

He insisted that the Federal Government violated the constitution and other international treaties following his alleged forceful rendition to Nigeria.
“My lord, you said in your earlier ruling that you will not grant me bail until you make a determination about the reason for my disappearance.

“But you have not done so,”

“At this stage, I am of the opinion that you can’t try me without first looking into that.

“The criminals came to my house to kill me!

“I don’t understand why my trial must be conducted contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“This is the law of Nigeria as of today,” Kanu said, waving a bunch of law books in the dock.

Continued, he said: “This court is in violation of the laws of Nigeria. Section 2(3)(f) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, is very clear.”b

The Federal Government’s lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, interjected and asked Kanu’s legal team to call him to order.

Awomolo also told Justice Nyako not to continue to allow Kanu, a defendant, to speak from the dock against the rules of the court, even when he had legal representation.

Responding, Kanu accused Awomolo of being a terrorist.

“This man is a terrorist for conducting a trial in violation of an international treaty that Nigeria entered into. Once a treaty is entered into and signed, it becomes a law”.

“They are all terrorists! No court can try me in Nigeria. Anything done in violation of any treaty entered into by Nigeria is an act of terrorism.

“This man here is a terrorist as at today. He is a dishonest man! You are a terrorist! Who the hell are you? Follow what the law says.

“I have been in detention for over three years. You are the Chairman of the Body of Benchers and you are violating the laws of this country,” he told the senior lawyer.

He also restated that the law provided that the defendant should be given unfettered access to his lawyer in the defence of his case.

Awomolo, who was surprised by Kanu’s outburst, said he was not angry about it and that he was not a terrorist.

“I am not a terrorist and I am not provoked by the action of the defendant. It is understandable. He is only being emotional,” he said.

Justice Nyako, who said she was not a persecutor, said even if Kanu was in a prison, there would always be conditions for visitation.

She said she had given conditions which might be contrary to the DSS practice but that the security outfit must comply with the court order.

“When I am making an order, I am taking into consideration all sides.

“The defendant has to be alive to stand his trial,” the judge said