By Our Correspondent
Fresh Court documents have revealed how the Department of State Security Services, DSS, recovered over $151,000 dollars(over N105,000,000) in cash during a recent raid on the residence of Desert Herald Publisher, Tukur Mamu.
This is contrary to the widespread reports that a paltry sum of $151 was found in the journalist’s residence.
It was recalls that Mamu, accused of being a terrorist negotiator, was arrested alongside his two wives at Cairo International Airport in Egypt on September 6.
The trio were awaiting a connecting flight to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj when they were whisked away by INTERPOL officers. Thereafter, they were deported to Nigeria, where DSS operatives picked them up on arrival at the Aminu Kano International Airport.
But according to the documents obtained by this medium, the items found in Mamu’s house include 16 naval uniforms, 8 Army uniforms, different foreign currency coins, $151,000 and over one million naira in cash.
Other recoveries include 6 laptops, tablets, various tactical communication devices and binoculars.
Security sources reveal that the huge sums recovered are suspected to be proceeds of an alleged criminal collusion between Mamu and bandits.It should be noted that Mamu played an intermediary role in the release of some victims of the infamous Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
Family says uniforms belong to Mamu’s relatives
Members of Mamu’s family have disputed the DSS claims on the monies and military uniforms.
According to a statement signed by Ibrahim Mada, special projects manager of Desert Herald Newspaper, the military accoutrements found in Mamu’s house during the Thursday raid of his house belong to his son, a naval officer.
The statement said; “We urge the DSS to avoid media trial of Malam Tukur Mamu (Dan Iyan Fika), Publisher, Desert Herald Newspaper whom they arrested and kept in detention since on Tuesday 6th September.”
“While the DSS did not indicate the actual amount of the so-called large sum of money found in his house and office, we want to make it clear, that the ‘military accoutrements’ found in his house are military kits (uniform and barret) belonging to his son, Yahaya Bello, a naval officer who graduated from NDA. Bello was brought up by Tukur and he lives in his house.”
“Recall that about two weeks ago, Tukur Mamu’s younger brother, Muhammad Saleh Mamu, an Air Force officer was killed while on counter terrorism’s mission in Zamfara.”
However, security experts who spoke with pressmen under the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the topic, queried the claims that the uniforms belong to a relative.
“It is preposterous to claim that the uniforms belong to his relatives. What about the army uniforms? The security agencies should get to the root of this and Nigerians should not be quiet,” one of the experts said.
Another expert, who is a retired soldier, said, ” All through my days in the army, I did not have up to 20 uniforms. This matter should be thoroughly investigated.
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