The lead negotiator between the Nigerian government and bandits in Norther Nigeria Tukur Mamu has been arrested in Cairo Egypt.

Mamu has been vocal about his role in negotiating the freedom of persons kidnapped by bandits from a train en route to Kaduna from Abuja in late March 2022.

Daily Trust reports that Mamu was arrested in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, alongside members of his family.

Mamu was reportedly on his way to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj when he was detained at the Cairo International Airport for 24 hours and is being repatriated to Nigeria.

He disclosed that he left Nigeria on Tuesday and was subjected to investigation by Egyptian security agencies but was not indicted with anything incriminating.

Mamu alleged that the Nigerian government planned to detain him in Egypt, a similar pattern to the arrest of Yoruba separatist Sunday Igboho who was arrested in the Republic of Benin and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu.

He said the Egyptian government found that his papers were genuine.

Mamu last month disclosed that he is pulling out of the negotiation with bandits after alleging threats to his life and alleged blackmail by the Nigerian Government.

His arrest comes a day after Nigeria’s information and culture minister Lai Mohammed reassured Nigerians that the worst of insecurity in the country is over.

He hinted that although there might still be pockets of attacks nationwide, he pointed out that the situation can never be worse.

Mohammed spoke a joint press briefing with three other heads of ministries, including Ministers of Defence, Bashir Magashi; Police, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi and Interior, Rauf Aregbesola on Monday.

Aregbesola said the interior ministry had fulfilled its mandate of maintaining internal security through its four agencies and contributed to economic development by facilitating entry, operations and establishment of foreigners and foreign firms to do business in Nigeria./ guardian