Friday, April 4, 2025 - Former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, General Maharazu Tsiga, has narrated his harrowing experience in kidnappers' den.
Tsiga, who regained freedom on Wednesday after 56 days in
captivity, revealed that hyenas surrounded him and other hostages a day before
their release.
Tsiga was abducted on February 5, 2025, from his hometown of
Tisga in the Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, March 3, during the handover
of 19 rescued victims to their families, Tsiga detailed the hardships he and
others endured while in captivity.
"A day before I left there, that is, the day before
yesterday, on the mountain where I was staying, unexpectedly, we looked around
and saw hyenas parading, searching for food. And what kind of food? Us, the
human beings,” he said.
He added that the hostages frequently encountered snakes and
scorpions while in captivity.
Tsiga described how the kidnappers used high-profile
captives as human shields during aerial attacks.
“Whenever they were being attacked, sincerely speaking, they
brought us out so that the aircraft could target us. But you know, God is
merciful. The NSA has said it, and the CDS has said it – the good ones will
continue to live.”
He recounted a particularly chilling experience when a
rocket aimed at them failed to explode.
"They carried that rocket to where I was sleeping
and hid it there so that immediately I woke up and touched it, it would
explode. But God is merciful,” he said.
According to him, the kidnappers believed that government
officials in uniform always had access to money, which led them to break into
his house using explosives
"They made claims that some of us are in uniform,
and the government is always putting money for us to keep. And that is why they
tried to open my house. They cannot and they had to use explosives to break
into my house.”
Tsiga also disclosed that the kidnappers feared aircraft
more than they feared God.
"They don’t fear God. They tell you not to call God for them, just give them money. But immediately they see aircraft, even their cows start running.”
Describing the harsh conditions in captivity, Tsiga revealed that they were given food only once a week and had to survive on Tuwo Dawa.
“I am hypotensive, and the only thing they could use was
salt. Even if you are not a doctor, you know that there are foods people with
hypertension should not eat. Now, look at me; I cannot climb these steps. It is
all as a result of the salt and the beatings we endured.”
He emphasised the importance of collective security
efforts.
“We should not sit down and believe that the government
can do it alone. We must contribute. Security is a collective responsibility,”
he added.
He urged citizens to provide timely and accurate
intelligence to security agencies, stressing that they are not magicians but
rely on good information to act effectively.
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