Published 7th Sep, 2022

By Adebola Adewara

Alhaji Tukur Mamu, the publisher of Desert Herald Newspaper and media consultant to the controversial Islamic Cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has been repatriated with his family members from Cairo, Egypt.

Mamu, who was on his way to Saudi Arabia alongside his two wives and one other person for lesser Hajj, was detained by Interpol at the Cairo International Airport for 24 hours on Tuesday.

Mamu disclosed on Wednesday morning that he was being flown back to Nigeria after interrogation and he was expected to arrive at Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, later in the day.

Mamu, who negotiated the release of some of the victims of the March 2022 Kaduna Train attack, said nothing incriminating was found in his possession after his arrest.

He alleged a failed plot by the Nigerian government to detain him in another country, just as was done to Sunday Igboho, adding that the Egyptian government found that his papers were genuine.

He, however, insinuated that his arrest was based on a request by the Nigerian government and that officials of the Nigerian secret police, the Department of State Security (DSS), might subject him to further questioning.

Mamu had pulled out of the negotiation to secure the release of the remaining hostages of the train attack after alleging threat to his life and attempted blackmail by the Nigerian government.

In his talk with with Daily Trust while onboard the plane back to Nigeria, he said, “I was on my way to Cairo-Egypt but my destination was Saudi Arabia for my Umrah alongside some of my family members. I was detained for 24 hours at the Cairo International Airport under the orders of Nigerian government.”

“I was not harassed at the Nigerian Airport until I got to Cairo, when the security officials there told me that they had orders to arrest me by Nigerian Department of State Security (DSS). We were arrested alongside my family members for the whole day at Cairo Airport,” he said.

“Right now, they boarded the next available flight for me and my family members back home to Kano. I’m sure the DSS officials would likely be waiting for me at the Kano airport today (Wednesday).

“I don’t have anything to hide and I’m not afraid of them (DSS). I swear to God, I’m not afraid of them. I just want the world to know of what is happening.”

The government is yet to react to Mamu’s claim, but some persons have accused him of conniving with the terrorists that masterminded the abduction of the train passengers, an allegation he has denied.

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