By Our Correspondent
There are indications that top military brass, including Generals, as well as government officials donated massively towards securing the release of a former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig. General Maharazu Tsiga, after 56 days in kidnappers den.
The former DG was kidnapped from his country home of Tsiga, in Bakori local government area of Katsina State, on February 5, 2025, along with nine other persons, and one other killed during the attack.
Though authorities have been silent as to whether ransom was paid before Gen. Tsiga was released on Wednesday, April 2, a WhatsApp message purportedly from Brigadier General, Ismaila Abdullahi (rtd), suggests that ransom was indeed paid.
Tsiga’s release was announced by a family member, Shamsuddeen Badaru, via a Facebook post on Wednesday, where he wrote, “Alhamdulillah. Brigadier General Maharazu I. Tsiga is free.”
While there are conflicting figures regarding the ransom paid, the message tagged “General MI Tsiga: A Note of Appreciation” suggested that support were recieved from the 300 members of a WhatsApp platform created by the Brig. Gen. Abdullahi (rtd) with members made up of retired and serving military officers, and civilians from all segments of society.
The message dated April 4, 2025, further indicated that the donations were sent directly into General Tsiga’s bank account domiciled in Unity Bank.
While conveying his gratitude for the support and contributions, the supposed author of the message, Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi, said concerned friends decided to solicit for donations on the TSIGA PLATFORM to ensure that General MI Tsiga regained his freedom.
“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 channeled 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.”
He further stated that, “From 22 February 2025, when donations started coming in to 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 ie THE RELEASE of General MI Tsiga.”
This development has left many questioning the safety of the ordinary Nigerians if army generals will have to contribute money to pay kidnappers for the release of one of them.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, received Tsiga and 18 others in Abuja last Thursday, marking a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and insecurity in the country.
