Abuja-Kano train hostage negotiator, Tukur Mamu, arrested in Egypt

Malam Tukur Mamu, initial negotiator for the release of the abducted Abuja-Kaduna train passengers kidnapped on March 28, 2022, has been arrested in Egypt.

Mamu, who is publisher of Desert Herald newspaper, was arrested at the Cairo Airport on his way to Saudi Arabia.

He personally confirmed his arrest to journalists on Wednesday, saying, “I am on my way to Madina Saudi Arabia when they stopped me at Cairo Airport under the Nigerian government order.

“Nothing was found in my possession. So I am sure the DSS officials are waiting for me at the Kano airport. I don’t have anything to hide and like I said I am not afraid of them (DSS).

“I swear to God I am not afraid of them. I just want the world to know of what is happening.”

No official statement on Mamu’s arrest from the Nigerian government yet.

Mamu commenced negotiations with the terrorists, who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train and abducted many of the passengers, leading to the release of over 20 of the passengers.

He later withdrew from the voluntary task of negotiations, citing threat to his personal safety.

Mamu however became a medium of communication between the terrorists and the government on one hand and families of the kidnap victims on the other hand, which also yielded some positive results.