Shut Up! DSS Warns against Further Comment on Tukur Mamu

Enough of conjectures!

That is the warning fired by Yellow House, Headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS, Abuja, on Sunday, as opinions and propaganda soared on the arrest and ongoing investigation into the activities of Tukur Mamu, the self-appointed negotiator between families of victims of the Kaduna-bound train that was attacked last March, and the bandits who committed the serious crime.

In a statement issued by Dr. Peter Afunanya, Public Relations Officer of the DSS, the department warned the public against further comments on the subject, declaring that the outcome of the investigation of the bandits’ negotiator is “mind-boggling”, warning the public against further comments on the subject.

Maintaining that the department will not be distracted by skewed narratives on Mamu’s arrest and subsequent investigation, Afunanya said:

“The Department of State Services (DSS) has followed, with keen observation, overzealous comments by sections of the public in view of issues relating to the arrest and investigation of Tukur Mamu,

“The Service wishes that it is not distracted by some of 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. Meanwhile, the Service will cease further comments on the subject matter since the Court will determine its course. Consequently, the public is hereby enjoined to desist from making unguarded utterances and await the court proceedings.”

The DSS statement came hours after controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, asked the Department to either charge Mamu, a close adviser of the cleric and publisher of Desert Herald, to court or release him from detention.

Gumi made the statement during his weekly preaching at the Sultan Bello Mosque, Kaduna,  on Saturday, saying the department should let his aide face trial because keeping him in custody was intimidating his family.

Prior to Gumi’s comment, the DSS had announced that its operatives had raided Mamu’s residence and office, and incriminating materials such as military accouterments and large amounts of different currencies were found. But Mamu’s family promptly denied the claim.