A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, granted a prayer by the State Service Service (SSS) to detain former terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mamu, for 60 more days.

Justice Nkeonye Maha, in a short ruling on the ex-parte motion moved by counsel for the SSS, Ahmed Magaji, granted the motion as prayed.

In the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1617/2022 and filed September 12, the SSS had asked the court to grant its reliefs to enable it conclude its investigation on Mr Mamu.

Mr Mamu, who had been leading negotiation with the terrorists for the release of the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers kidnaped in March.

An aide to Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, Mr Mamu was arrested on September 6 in Cairo, Egypt, with his family members by foreign security agents.

Mr Mamu, who was on his way to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj, was detained at Cairo International Airport before being repatriated back to Nigeria.

The SSS had, on Sunday, warned Sheikh Gumi, who has faulted the arrest as an act of terrorism, over making comments on its arrest of Mr Mamu.

In a statement by its spokesman, Peter Afunaya, asked the public to leave the agency alone and allow it to concentrate on the “mind boggling” investigations.

At a religious gathering on Friday in Kaduna, Mr Gumi told the SSS to charge Mr Mamu to court if it had any evidence against him, rather than keeping him in custody.

Reacting in its statement, the security outfit said since the matter was in court, it will “cease further comments on the subject,” and enjoined the public to do the same.

(NAN)