After 56 days in captivity, retired Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga, former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has been released by his abductors. The news was confirmed by a family member, Shamsuddeen Badaru, in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
Brig.-Gen. Tsiga was abducted on February 5, 2025, from his hometown of Tsiga in the Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, alongside at least nine others. During the initial attack, one person was killed. Despite the payment of a ransom, the abductors held Tsiga for several weeks. Conflicting reports had circulated regarding the amount of the ransom, with figures ranging from N60 million to significantly higher sums.
Prior to his confirmed release, there had been false reports stating Tsiga had already been freed. Retired Brigadier-General Ismaila Abdullahi clarified in an interview that Tsiga remained in captivity. The Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer stated they would confirm the release, but efforts to reach family members for comment were unsuccessful.
Badaru’s social media post confirmed Tsiga’s release, stating “Alhamdulillah. Brigadier General Maharazu I. Tsiga is free.” The incident underscores the growing problem of abductions by suspected bandits in Katsina State, with similar cases reported, including the kidnapping of four students from Paris Quarters near the Federal University, Dutsinma.
