***DSS Admits mind boggling discoveries, Warns Against Wild Claims
***Alleged Masterminds Dismiss Reports As Mere Theatrics
***Gumi spirits fire as Nigerians Call For his Arrest and Investigation.
By: Ali Musa Biu
Besides political developments, Nigeria’s precarious security situation and the seeming inability of the Government to resolve it, have dominated public discourse,in recent times.
President Muhammadu Buhari has made spirited efforts to douse public anger against his Government over the security crisis, by promising to get on top of the situation.
He further vowed to bring to justice perpetrators of terrorism, but Nigerians did not appear impressed as most Nigerians dismiss it as part of his usual rhetorics.
Recent events however point to the fact that, indeed, the President is for once serious and there may be damning revelations about Nigeria’s security problems and, big heads might roll, in the new approach to redressing the situation.
Keen watchers of events might say, that, the arrest of Desert Herald publisher and self acclaimed negotiator, Tukur Mamu, did not come as a surprise.
Mamu not only constituted himself into an authority, alon with Sheik Mahmud Gumi, but also seemed to have thrown himself into the way of things by exposing the weaknesses of the Government in the fight against terrorism.
Not only does his hands look full, with the findings about him by the DSS,but his arrest might have opened a new vista, and his likely arraignment before the courts might open the Pandora’s box.
The social media has been awash with reports of alleged confessions by Tukur Mamu, to the effect that he has indicted some prominent Nigerians, as being the brains behind the insecurity in Nigeria.
Since his arrest in Egypt and subsequent deportation back to Nigeria, and his consequent detention by the Directorate of State Services, DSS, the Tukur Mamu saga has remained the foremost issue in public discourse.
Besides the public controversy surrounding his roles in negotiating the release of histages, Tukur’s alleged links with terrorists has equally generated public odium against his personality, which may further define what to expect, as he tajes his days in the courts
The media seem to relish the moment, with reports in the social media insinuating the purported revelations and the indictment of prominent Nigerians in Mamu’s alleged confessions.
Already, the coinage of “terrorists negotiator”, to describe Mamu is assuming the dimension of a narrative, just as the alleged indictment of personalities seem to be assuming a life of its own.
While the investigations by the Department of State Services DSS continues on the mattet, people are quick to start what looks like a media trial.
Tukur Mamu’s principal, Sheik Mahmud Gumi has not been named amongst those alleged, but his comments on the matter and his oast activities leave much to be desired.
Those said to have been implicated by Mamu, even in the face of widespread calls for Gumi’s investigation, are not taking the matter lightly.
Those whose names were alleged to have been mentioned, have since dismissed the reports in the social media on their alleged involvement as mere theatrics, aimed at diverting attention from the real issues at stake.
One of those mentioned in the purported indictment told our correspondent on the phone, that, he will not take issues in the social media serious, knowing what has become of it, in recent times, but challenged anybody, who has anything against him to report same to security agents or go public with such issue.
Former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, whose name was mentioned, told National Trail that, the issue of his indictment is laughable and looks like a weekend tale by the moonlight.
“As much as I will not want to join issues with anybody in the media, and as much as I am ready to defend my integrity in the most appropriate way I regard what I have also heard as a piece of tale by the moonlight. I am more a victim of terrorism and do not see how I could mastermind something that work against me and against Nigerians”.
“I challenge the DSS and indeed all security agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring to book those who seek to spoil my name for whatever reasons. I am already in court with a particular media house over such frivolous reports and the truth will be known in the fullness of time”, he stressed.
Tukur Mamu, was alleged to have told his interrogators that, there is a syndicate, consisting of northerners, to wit, a former Army General, a former Governor, top politicians and some clerics, who are responsible for terrorism in Northern and other parts of Nigeria.
Social Media reports, said, Mamu told his interrogators that, many of the sponsors of the terrorism mayhem in the country have links with collaborators outside the country and have been supporting terrorists in various communities, particularly in northern Nigeria.
But, while the Department of State Security Services has confirmed the raid on the Kaduna residence and office of Mamu, where they reportedly recovered some incriminating items and cash in various denominations, the DSS, did not confirm the alleged confessions by Mamu.
. Confirming the raid in a statement
Spokesman for the DSS, Peter Afunanya, had explained that, , “So far, appropriate security agencies have executed valid search warrants on Mamu’s residence and office. During the processes, incriminating materials including military accoutrements were recovered”.
But following the reports of the alleged revelations by Mamu, the DSS warned the public to desist from making unsubstantiated comments on the matter, so as not to jeopardize investigations and pervert the course of justice.
Afunaya, did not however refute the claims about the indictments of some prominent Nigerians, but said, the DSS shall not make further comments on the matter, as it has the potentials of being prejudiced , even as he called on the public to await the court verdict on the Tukur Mamu saga.
“The service wishes that, it is not distracted with some if the skewed narratives pervading the media space, instead, it requests to be left alone to concentrate on the ongoing investigations the outcomes of which have remained mind boggling”.
“Tukur Mamu who has been complaining for government refusal to negotiate with the bandits of the Abuja – Kaduna train attack victims is being suspected of involvement in ransom recketteering to the tunre of over 2 billionnaira and was arrested on Tuesday in Cairo, Egypt along with his two wives and sons on their way to Saudi Arabia.
Mamu is currently being detained by the Department if State Services, while investigations have been launched into the matter.
Meanwhile, Mamu’s benefactor, Sheik Mahmud Gumi, who has been visiting camps of known terrorists, and parades himself as a negotiator, has been threatening fire and brimstone.
He alleged that Mamu’s arrest and detention was tantamount to state terrorism, and called for the immediate and unconditional release of Tukur Mamu.
But Gumi himself make might have fallen under security searchlight, as sources hinted if his own imminent arrest, if he is found to have been involved in perpetuating the banditry in some parts of the country.
The source confid d in National TRAIL that Gumi’s utterances informed the latest statement by the DSS, warning against careless utterances.
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