Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS) has countered the claim that nothing incriminating was found when its operatives raided the residence of and office of hostage negotiator and newspaper publisher, Tukur Mamu in Kaduna on Thursday.

DSS operatives had raided the office of the Desert Herald Newspaper publisher and residence located at the Ungwan Rimi area and Ungwan Dosa area of Kaduna city respectively early Thursday morning.

Reports indicated that scores of operatives of DSS were involved in the early morning raids during which laptops, phones and documents were seized.

The raid followed arrest of Mamu who is also the spokesman for Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, on Wednesday at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on arrival with some members of his family from Cairo, Egypt.
The newspaper publisher was first arrested on Tuesday by Interpol at the Cairo International Airport while trying to connect a flight to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj, along with his two wives and sons.

But reports on the raids had quoted unnamed eyewitnesses and family members as saying nothing nothing incriminating was found in the residence as well as the office of Mamu by the DSS operatives.

The eyewitnesses also said the raids were carried out without search warrant.

While countering the claim, DSS spokesman, Dr Peter Afunanya said appropriate security agencies executed the search warrant.

He also said contrary to the claims of the eyewitnesses, incriminating materials recovered included military accoutrements, large amounts of different currencies in different denominations and financial transaction instruments.

Afunanya assured that Mamu would have his day in court to defend himself.

The DSS on Wednesday confirmed the detention of Mamu in its facility.