Fresh details emerged on Tuesday in the ongoing terrorism trial of Kaduna-based publisher and alleged negotiator, Tukur Mamu, as a State Security Service investigator told a Federal High Court in Abuja that Mamu was promised a N50 million personal share by the leader of the terrorists who attacked the Abuja–Kaduna train in March 2022.

The operative, testifying as the sixth prosecution witness before Justice Mohammed Umar, appeared behind a screen for security reasons while being led in evidence by SSS counsel, David Kaswe.

According to the witness, voice notes retrieved from Mamu’s mobile devices revealed direct communication between him and the terror group holding kidnapped passengers. The recordings were extracted after his arrest in Egypt and subsequent repatriation to Nigeria.

One of the audio clips, the operative said, featured the terrorists’ leader, known as Shugaba, expressing gratitude to Mamu and instructing him to deduct N50 million for himself from a ransom payment.

Another recording allegedly captured the group’s spokesperson, identified as Baba Adamu, asking Mamu to help them acquire speakers and a public address system for preaching activities, as well as guidance on how to set up a website.

The witness claimed Mamu encouraged the terrorists to negotiate ransom payments directly with families of the hostages instead of engaging the federal government’s committee headed by the Chief of Defence Staff, allegedly for his own benefit.

He further told the court that Mamu contacted his in-law, identified as Mubarak Tinja, shortly after being intercepted in Egypt, directing him to remove cash, vehicles and other valuables from his Kaduna residence to avoid seizure by authorities.

Upon execution of a search warrant, investigators reportedly recovered large sums in local and foreign currencies, including about $300,000, along with several vehicles. The cars listed included a Toyota Camry “Muscle”, Peugeot 5008, Lexus, Mercedes E350 and a Hyundai model. Corresponding vehicle documents were tendered in court and admitted as exhibits.

The witness added that Mamu handed over a Samsung tablet and two mobile phones to investigators on arrival in Nigeria. Forensic analysis of the devices uncovered the voice recordings and other material presented during interrogation.

He said Mamu admitted instructing his in-law to move valuables and acknowledged ownership of a pump-action gun recovered from his home. Investigators later discovered that the firearm licence had expired in December 2021.

The court also admitted written statements from two former hostages who declined to testify in person, citing trauma and fear. Eight statements made by Mamu during interrogation, along with video recordings of the sessions, were also admitted.

Compact discs and a flash drive containing the recorded conversations were accepted as evidence, though Mamu’s lawyer, Johnson Usman, reserved his objection until the final address.

Mr Kaswe informed the court that the prosecution would file an application seeking a court visit to the storage facility where the recovered items are kept.

Justice Umar adjourned the matter to November 26 at 11:00 a.m. for continuation of trial.