A damning disclosure is trailing the freedom of Brigadier General Maharuza Tsiga whose release from the kidnappers’ den was celebrated last week by the National Security Adviser, NSA.
Last Thursday, the National Counter Terrorism Center officially handed over former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Tsiga, and 18 other rescued kidnap victims to the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu.
The handover ceremony took place in Abuja at an elaborate event witnessed by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa
Credible News recalls that Tsiga was abducted on February 5, 2025, from his hometown of Tisga in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State. He spent 56 days in captivity before gaining freedom on Wednesday.
During the ceremony, NSA Nuhu Ribadu praised the security agencies and intelligence operatives involved in the rescue operation. He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national security and protecting citizens from criminal activities but did not speak about payment of ransom.
Nigerians were alarmed reading in a viral WhatsApp message about efforts made by friends, family and colleagues of Gen Tsiga to raise an unspecified ransom for his freedom. The massage reads:
GENERAL MI TSIGA: A NOTE OF APPRECIATION
I, Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi, on behalf of Brigadier General MI 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 LB 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 MI Tsiga. As days went by, and when the bandits made their demand of 400,000,000 naira as the ransom money they wanted before they released 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, domiciled in Unity Bank. 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 into 15 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 MI Tsiga regained 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 i.e. THE RELEASE of General MI Tsiga.
Thank you and bye…
Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi rtd
4 April 2025.
There has been no independent investigation on the authenticity of the WhatsApp message. But since it gained traction, there has been no rebuttal from government agencies.
Media reports last week indicated that Tsiga was freed after prolonged negotiations and the payment of unspecified amount as ransom by his family.
A close family member disclosed that after the ransom was delivered, the kidnappers remained silent for a week before contacting the family and allowing Brig-Gen Tsiga to speak with them.
“The money was taken to them, and it was only after one week, on Tuesday, March 11, that they called, and we heard his voice,” the source said.
He further disclosed that the kidnappers had attempted to demand additional payment, but no further money was given to them.
Tsiga’s abduction and prolonged captivity underscored the prevailing security challenges in the North-West region, where kidnappings for ransom have become a recurring issue.
Crediblenewsng.com
