The claim has been made by Tukur Mamu, an associate of prominent Islamic leader Ahmad Gumi, that the Kuje correctional facility was targeted by the same terrorist group responsible for the Abuja-Kaduna train assault.
Mamu, who is also the publisher of the Desert Herald newspaper, stated that he had alerted security forces in advance about the threat of an attack on the correctional facility.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 6, Mamu, who played a role in securing the release of 10 individuals abducted during the March 28 train attack, asserted that he obtained the information during negotiations with the perpetrators of the train incident.
The statement published on his website included the following remarks;
“This marks the end of my involvement in the aforementioned matter, due to the reluctance and inaction of relevant authorities to make decisive and necessary decisions, for the benefit of a nation plagued by insecurity and avoidable attacks.
“Despite substantial budget allocations for security, with only a few enriching themselves at the expense of innocent lives, we must acknowledge the collapse of the current system.
“This is also to inform Nigerians that following prolonged delays, and despite the progress made in securing the release of the remaining Abuja-Kaduna train attack victims, there was a renewed threat by the abductors to commence the slaughter of their hostages on Tuesday, July 5, 2022.
The announcement was also made that Mamu would be withdrawing from negotiations following the recent attack, having initially planned to do so but was dissuaded by Gumi.
He added;
“For the record, since the successful mission resulting in the release of 11 victims, I had already decided to completely disengage from this voluntary service to an ungrateful nation due to the aforementioned reasons and many more. However, on the humanitarian grounds, I was urged by my principal, Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, to exercise patience and continue.
“With the tragic recent developments at the highest levels of government, I officially declare my complete withdrawal from this service and publicly announce that my life is also under threat.
“It should also be noted that if anything happens to me, it is certainly not at the hands of the terrorists, but within the corrupt society we live in.”