There appears to be controversy over the release of former Director General, National Youth Service Corps, Brig.-Gen. Maharazu Tsiga (rtd.), who recently regained freedom after spending 56 days in captivity.
Daily Trust reports that Gen. Tsiga was abducted on February 5, 2025, in his hometown of Tsiga, the Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, along with at least nine others.
Ransom demands
Four days after his abduction, his kidnappers were said to have contacted the family with a ransom demand of N250 million. Sources had said the attack in Tsiga, lasted a few minutes, leaving two residents wounded and one of the attackers mistakenly shot dead by his colleagues.
The police confirmed the abduction of Mr Tsiga and others, stating that they were collaborating with sister security agencies to rescue the captives unhurt.
The police spokesperson in the state, Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed this at a press briefing he held to review police activities in the previous month of January.
Friend’s statement
In a statement, his friend thanked Nigerians for contributing to the General’s release.
“I, Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi, on behalf of Brigadier General M.I Tsiga, friends and associates wish to express our profound gratitude and appreciation to you all on your wonderful and unexpected contributions in our struggle to ensure that General MI Tsiga regained his freedom from the 5th of February, 2025, when he was violently taken away from his house in Tsiga Town, Bakori LGA of Katsina State.
“The moment we heard of General MI Tsiga’s kidnapping, myself and Major General L.B Bunza started exchanging ideas towards the release of General Tsiga.
“On the 9th of February 2025, we decided to create a WhatsApp platform that we named simply, “TSIGA.” The aim was to inform the general public of the unfolding situation, i.e, the abduction of General M.I Tsiga. As days went by and when the bandits made their demand of N400,000,000, as the ransom money they wanted before they release General MI Tsiga, we decided to solicit for donations on our TSIGA PLATFORM.
“The response was overwhelming. On this platform, we had over 300 members; made up of retired military officers, serving military officers, and civilians from all segments of our society, university lecturers, ambassadors, and businessmen.
“For proper accountability, General Bunza and I decided that all the contributions should be channelled into General Tsiga’s bank account. So, I asked Kamal (General Tsiga’s son) to send us his father’s bank account. He immediately sent me General Tsiga’s bank account. I posted this account on the TSIGA PLATFORM and requested donations from members to assist General Tsiga’s family in meeting up with the demands of the bandits.
“The response, like I had earlier observed, was overwhelming. Donations came in pouring like ‘August Rains.’
“Initially, I started updating the amount being received, but some members noticed and quickly advised that the update was not proper, security-wise, so I stopped posting the daily contributions.
“From 22, February 2025, when donations started coming in to 15th March, 2025, the amount we received was indicative that yes, TOGETHER WE CAN.
“I want to, therefore, on behalf of General MI Tsiga, family, friends, colleagues and associates, thank you all for your brotherly and sisterly expression of concern and contributions both financial, moral, and even spiritual in our collective efforts to make sure General M.I Tsiga regain his freedom.
“Today, 4th April, 2025, I have come to the end of my humble task. The task of keeping the general public informed of General MI Tsiga’s predicament. As I write this little write-up, I feel fulfilled as our collective efforts have finally yielded a very positive outcome ie THE RELEASE of General M.I Tsiga.
“Thank you and bye,” the statement read.
The release
Daily Trust reports that General Tsiga was rescued on 3rd April, while the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, handed over Gen. Tsiga and 18 other kidnap victims to their families, in Abuja, two days after.
Tsiga said he saw hell in the hands of his abductors saying that his safe return was the kind of situation worthy of celebration.
Military’s reaction
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters reacted to the claim that military Generals contributed money to secure the release of their colleague, M.I Tsiga.
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, in a statement on Monday, said the claims by Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi (rtd) had contradicted the military’s efforts.
General Gusau, who did not deny the statement that the retired Generals raised funds to free their colleague, said the narrative downplayed the efforts made by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, who embarked on a search and rescue operation to secure the release of Gen. Tsiga.
He said it was essential to clarify the efforts undertaken by the troops that facilitated Tsiga’s release.
“It is important to note that the unfortunate abduction of the former DG of NYSC occurred in the wee hours of 6th February 2025, in Tsiga, Kafur District of Bakori Local Government Area in Katsina State.
“Immediately, troops of 17 Brigade were alerted, they responded to the situation around 0300 hours the same day and in a commendable show of professionalism, swiftly went on pursuit in conjunction with the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma.
“These combined efforts led to troops combing the assailants/bandits hideouts within Jeka, Areda, and Zango, all in Kankara Local Government Area, in search of the former DG.
“The operation extended to Ruwan Lafiya, Mununu, Matallawa and Bakkai in Faskari Local Government Area.
“Although no direct contact was made with the abductors, the troops successfully pressured the criminals, who abandoned rustled animals and some captives in their hasty retreat.
“The troops nevertheless sustained the pursuit of the terrorists with unwavering determination, despite facing difficulties due to challenging terrain,” he said.
Gusau added that the troops on February 8, intensified their manhunt for the abductors and conducted dawn attacks at Yankuzo and Gidan Dankaka in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara, where terrorist kingpin, Ado Aliero, hibernates.
He added that subsequent air operations at Dunya Hill, a suspected bandit stronghold where Tsiga was held, disrupted the terrorists, leading to the escape of several captives.
According to him, the former DG was unable to escape due to health concerns.
“One of the captives, Barau Garba, a teacher at Government Secondary School in Tsiga and who was with General Tsiga, was rescued by troops and he shared his experience via the attached video.
“Barau has since been reunited with his family in Tsiga town.
“In another instance, troops assaulted Pauwa Hills and Matallawa area of Kankara Local Government Area in search of Brig.-Gen. Tsiga.
“However, they were only able to rescue 84 kidnapped victims from the area without locating him.
“In the process, several terrorists/bandits were neutralised while three personnel sustained gunshot wounds,” he added.
The defence spokesman said the troops had since Tsiga’s abduction, remained relentless in their pursuit, conducting both air and ground operations, which he added, had kept pressure on the abductors.
According to him, it was only fair to recognise the sacrifices made by the troops.
“The disparaging online narrative is, therefore, nothing but presumably an act of mischief which is calculated to undermine the dedicated efforts of the military to eradicate terrorists/bandits and other criminal elements from the North-west region”, he further stated. (Daily trust)
