Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, the controversial Nigerian Islamic cleric, has spoken up about the widely reported arrest of Tukur Mamu, his aide, who was picked up in Cairo, Egypt.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that Mamu was reportedly arrested alongside his family members on his way to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj.
Reacting to Mamu's arrest, Gumi said he heard about the arrest but that he does not know why he was arrested.
Peoples Gazette quoted Gumi as saying, “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.
“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.”
It was gathered that Mamu was detained at the Cairo International Airport for 24 hours and is being repatriated to Nigeria, many outlets are reporting.
Meanwhile, earlier speaking, Mamu had said, “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.”
Mamu is expected to arrive at Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano on Wednesday afternoon.
Recall that Mamu acted as the lead negotiator for the release of hostages taken by bandits during the March 28 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
However, he announced his withdrawal from the negotiations recently, citing death threats from Nigerian authorities.
