Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga (Rtd.), former NYSC Director-General, recounted surviving 56 days in captivity after kidnappers abducted him from Katsina’s Bakori LGA on February 5.
National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu facilitated his rescue alongside 18 others, ending a traumatic ordeal. He reunited with his family in Abuja, expressing gratitude for divine intervention during Thursday’s emotional reunion.
Tsiga described enduring life-threatening conditions, including wild hyenas and venomous snakes on a remote mountain. “Hyenas hunted us as food,” he revealed, explaining captors exposed them to constant animal attacks. Scorpions infested their prison, compounding fears beyond armed kidnappers’ daily threats. As a retired officer, Tsiga faced extra risks during military strikes targeting their captors.
A rocket aimed at him failed to explode, sparing his life despite placement near his sleeping area. “Miraculously, it malfunctioned,” he shared, crediting faith for surviving aerial assaults intended to eliminate hostages. Captives endured meager, hazardous rations, worsening their health under harsh captivity. Rotten food intensified malnutrition risks, yet captors dismissed concerns, mocking government’s ransom allocations for uniforms.
Kidnappers feared military aircraft more than divine wrath, Tsiga observed, prioritizing survival over morality during clashes. He criticized systemic neglect, urging Nigerians to unite against insecurity beyond government efforts. “Security demands everyone’s effort,” he insisted, advocating community vigilance and support for security forces.
NSA-led operations secured Tsiga’s freedom after 56 days, highlighting state efforts amid persistent security gaps. Ribadu reaffirmed commitment to combating Nigeria’s kidnapping epidemic, yet challenges persist in insurgent-prone regions. Tsiga’s trauma reflects countless untold stories, demanding urgent policy reforms and grassroots initiatives to protect vulnerable communities.
His ordeal underscores Nigeria’s escalating kidnapping crisis, urging collaborative solutions to dismantle criminal networks nationwide. Resilient survivors like Tsiga emphasize hope, but comprehensive strategies remain critical to curbing violence. The rescue illustrates progress yet reveals urgent needs for improved intelligence and interagency coordination.
Tsiga’s testimony amplifies calls for transparency in ransom negotiations and accountability for misallocated funds. Communities must report suspicious activities, he urged, fostering trust between citizens and law enforcement agencies. Meanwhile, lawmakers face pressure to enact stricter penalties for kidnappers and enhance victim support systems.
As families celebrate his return, many others await loved ones’ freedom, trapped in similar nightmares. Public outrage grows, demanding swift action to prevent further abductions and restore national security. Tsiga’s survival story, while harrowing, ignites renewed determination to reclaim safety across Nigeria’s troubled regions.
