There are growing concerns as retired army Brigadier General, Maharazu Tsiga, spent 49 days in captivity despite ransom payment.
Tsiga, a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was abducted, alongside nine other residents, on Wednesday, February 5 from his hometown of Tsiga, Bakori LGA, Katsina State.
However, almost 50 days after his abduction, Daily Trust learnt that his kidnappers are still holding him captive despite receiving huge amount of money as ransom from the family.
A family source told our correspondent that after receiving the money, the kidnappers kept mum for one week before contacting the family and putting the General on phone to speak with the family.
“We are worried, I can assure you that a huge amount was given and unfortunately, they have failed to fulfil their part of the agreement.
“The money was taken to them and it was only after one week, that was on Tuesday 11, that they called and we heard his voice.
“Unfortunately, since that time the family spoke with him, he was not heard of anymore. It is exactly two weeks since the family heard from him last,” he said.
He added that the kidnappers had called though to demand for more ransom money, which he said was not given to them.
It could be recalled that the kidnappers had contacted the family of the abducted general, where they demanded a ransom of N250m for his return.
According to reliable sources, negotiations were ongoing as the ransom earlier demanded were reviewed upward a number of times by the abductors as he was said to have been transferred to a new camp.
Daily Trust had reported calls from different quarters, including from the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) as well as the Katsina Elders Forum (KEF), urging the federal government and the Nigerian military to step up efforts towards rescuing the retired general.(Daily trust)
