Notable Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has said he has no information about the reason for the arrest of his aide, Tukur Mamu in Cairo, Egypt.

The media was awash Wednesday morning with reports that Mr Mamu was arrested in the northern African country alongside his family members on his way to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj.

“I am just hearing that he was detained in Cairo with his family. I am not aware of why that would happen and because the Nigerian government did not charge him for anything or declare him wanted at any time,” Mr Gumi said in response to enquiries by Peoples Gazette. “But I have also heard that he is on his way back to Nigeria, so I hope to have more information upon his arrival later today.”

Mr Mamu was detained at the Cairo International Airport for 24 hours and is being repatriated to Nigeria, many outlets are reporting.

“I was not harassed at the Nigerian Airport until I got to Cairo when the security officials there told me that they had orders to arrest me by the Nigerian Department of State Security (DSS). We were arrested alongside my family members for the whole day at Cairo Airport,” Mr Mamu told Daily Trust.

He is expected to arrive at Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Mamu acted as the lead negotiator for the release of hostages taken by bandits during the March 28 Abuja-Kaduna train attack. He announced his withdrawal from the negotiations recently, citing death threats from Nigerian authorities.