The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has responded to claims that some retired military generals contributed money to pay a ransom for the release of Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (rtd), a former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who was kidnapped earlier this year.
Brigadier General Tsiga was held captive for nearly two months after he was abducted in the early hours of February 6, 2025, in Tsiga, a community in Kafur District of Bakori Local Government Area in Katsina State.
In a statement released on Monday, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, addressed remarks made by another retired officer, Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi. Abdullahi had reportedly suggested that senior officers and some civilians came together to raise money for Tsiga’s release.
However, Gusau noted that this version of events does not match the efforts that were put in by active-duty troops under Operation Fansan Yamma, who carried out multiple search-and-rescue missions. He pointed out that from the moment the abduction happened, troops from 17 Brigade and an air component quickly began an operation at around 3 a.m. on the same day.
The operation reportedly covered several communities including Jeka, Areda, and Zango in Kankara Local Government Area and extended into Ruwan Lafiya, Mununu, Matallawa, and Bakkai in Faskari Local Government Area. While there was no direct contact with the kidnappers at the time, the military’s efforts caused the captors to abandon some stolen animals and other hostages.
Gusau also said that air and ground operations continued for weeks. On February 8, troops raided areas in Zamfara State believed to be hiding spots of bandit leaders. They also carried out airstrikes on Dunya Hill, which was suspected to be where Tsiga was being kept. Although several captives escaped during those operations, the former NYSC DG was not among them due to health issues.
Gusau stated that another captive, Barau Garba, a teacher abducted alongside Tsiga, was rescued and has since reunited with his family. He provided testimony of his ordeal in a video shared with the authorities.
Further operations led to the rescue of 84 other kidnapped persons, although Tsiga remained missing at that time. The Defence spokesperson added that during one of these missions, some bandits were neutralized and three soldiers sustained injuries.
Gusau said that the military never gave up on the search and continued to carry out rescue efforts through both combat and non-combat means. “It is only fair to recognise the significant sacrifices made by these troops who have worked day and night, often at great risk to their own lives,” he said.
He also noted that the circulating report which downplays the military’s role could be an attempt to discredit the armed forces and diminish the work they do to secure the region.
