Former NYSC Director-General Freed After 56 Days In Captivity.
Former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), retired Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga has been released after enduring 56 days in the hands of kidnappers. The news, confirmed by a senior military official and family members, brings an end to a harrowing ordeal that began on 5 February 2025 in Katsina State, Nigeria.
Tsiga was abducted from his hometown in the Bakori Local Government Area, alongside nine other residents, in a midnight raid that sent shockwaves through the community. The armed bandits stormed Tsiga village, targeting the respected retired general, who had served as NYSC Director-General and earned widespread admiration for his contributions to youth development in Nigeria. During the attack, one person was killed, and the assailants looted homes before fleeing with their captives.
The kidnappers initially demanded a staggering N250 million ransom for Tsiga’s release, a sum that underscored the audacity of the operation. According to a family source speaking to Daily Trust, the abductors made contact with the family days after the abduction, setting off a tense period of negotiations. While conflicting reports have emerged regarding the final ransom amount—some outlets suggest N60 million was paid, though Daily Trust claims the figure was closer to N180 million—the family’s efforts eventually bore fruit. However, even after the payment, the kidnappers remained silent for a week, heightening fears for Tsiga’s safety, before allowing him a brief phone call with his relatives.
Despite the abductors’ subsequent demands for additional funds, no further payments were made, and Tsiga was finally set free. Sources indicate that his release took place in Zamfara State, from where he is now being transported to Abuja. A family member, speaking anonymously, expressed profound relief, stating, “We are overjoyed to have him back safe and sound. It’s been an incredibly difficult time, but he’s in good health, and that’s what matters most.”
The Nigerian military, which had launched a search-and-rescue operation shortly after the abduction, played a key role in securing Tsiga’s freedom, though details of the operation remain scarce. A senior military official confirmed the development, noting that efforts to combat banditry in the region continue amid an upsurge in such incidents across Nigeria’s North-West.
Tsiga’s abduction had drawn widespread attention, not least because of his prominence as a retired major general and philanthropist. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) had voiced concern over the incident, describing it as emblematic of the escalating insecurity plaguing states like Katsina, Kaduna, and Zamfara. His safe return has been met with an outpouring of gratitude from well-wishers and community leaders alike.
As Tsiga prepares to reunite with his loved ones, his release offers a rare glimmer of hope in a region beleaguered by violence and abductions. While the ordeal has ended on a positive note, it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges facing Nigeria, where banditry and kidnapping for ransom remain persistent threats.
For now, the focus remains on Tsiga’s recovery and the joy of his homecoming. “We thank God for his mercy,” a family spokesperson said. “General Tsiga is a strong man, and we’re confident he’ll soon be back to his usual self.”
