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Kaduna Train Attack: I Paid N80m Ransom For My Mum, Sister’s Release – Witness
A witness identified as prosecution witness D has testified in the ongoing trial of Tukur Mamu, the publisher of Desert Herald newspaper, at the federal high court in Abuja.
The masked witness was led in evidence on Thursday by David Kaswe, a lawyer to the attorney-general of the federation (AGF).
Mamu is facing trial on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism after he was accused of aiding and negotiating with the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.
Mamu was accused of collecting $120,000 in ransom payments on behalf of Boko Haram terrorists responsible for the train attack.
He was also accused of exchanging voice note communications relating to the hostages with one Baba Adamu, a Boko Haram spokesperson.
However, the Desert Herald publisher pleaded not guilty to the terrorism charges.
Giving his testimony, the witness said he was informed that his mother and sister were among the passengers on board the train during the March 2022 attack.
The witness said a day after the terrorist attack, he visited the Kaduna hospital where the injured passengers were taken but could not see his mother and sister.
The witness told the court one of the abductors called him two weeks after the attack via telephone and asked him to speak with his sister.
He added that there was regular communication between him and the terrorists for about two weeks before they demanded a ransom of N200 million.
The witness said the terrorists provided him with the names and phone numbers of four journalists who could be contacted for negotiations.
He said out of the four journalists, only Mamu volunteered “to take up the responsibility”.
The witness said while struggling to raise the money for ransom, he received calls from Lucky Irabor, former chief of defence staff (CDS), and Yusuf Bichi, the former director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS).
He said the former defence staff requested a meeting in Abuja.
The witness said he was instructed by Irabor to tell him whatever he discussed with Mamu, adding that the former defence chief connected him with the committee set up by the federal government to facilitate the release of the kidnapped victims.
The witness said after he told the terrorists that Mamu had agreed to negotiate with them, they stopped communicating with him.
“As soon as they contacted Tukur Mamu, they stopped communicating with us. All information is from Tukur Mamu,” he told the court.
“We will go to Tukur Mamu, and he will tell us they have asked us to pay N100 million each.
“When the negotiation was going on, we had to link Tukur Mamu with the CDS committee.”
He added that one day, his sister called him from captivity to go back to Mamu for negotiations.
“After some people started getting their loved ones out, it got to a stage that kidnappers were no longer talking with the CDS committee,” he added.
“It should be noted that Tukur Mamu penciled me as a government agent. So, he never wants to talk to me.”
The witness said Mamu later agreed to communicate after a relation, who was the publisher’s former boss, intervened in the matter.
The witness said he negotiated the ransom from N200 million to N80 million and took the ransom in cash in August 2022 to Mamu in his Kaduna residence.
The witness disclosed that he was asked to convert the money to dollars, adding that the money amounted to $118,750 after the conversion.
He said two weeks later, Mamu called him for additional money to make it up to $120,000.
He added that his mother and sister were released after the ransom was paid.
News
How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
News
Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
News
Your Second Coming Was A Chance To Avoid These Political Mistakes – Fayose To Fubara
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, says the second coming to office of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, after the elapsing of the state of emergency should have made him better.
Fayose’s remarks come as the Rivers State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara as of January 8, 2026.
Speaking in an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television on Friday, Fayose said he was removed as governor and went to exile but became a better person upon his return.
Fayose said that President Bola Tinubu hates ingratitude just like any other person else does.
The former Ekiti governor also dismissed the claim that what is happening in Rivers state is politics taken too far.
According to him, the constitution provides rules of engagement for every politician, stressing that it is when one gets out of the rule that he begins to look for public sympathy.
“The coming back of Governor Fubara should have made him a better person .If you made a mistake the first time, the second time you are not supposed to go through that route.
“Politics is a power game. Nobody solves political game for you. With due respect, let me tell you. Fubara is the one enjoying the office of the governor of Rivers state. It’s not the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
“Some people are saying it’s about Tinubu’s election. No! Because Tinubu’s election will come first, don’t forget that. Both Wike and Fubara will all work for Tinubu. Two weeks after, there will be an election for Rivers state,” he said.
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