After being kept captive for 56 days, former National Youth Service Corps Director-General Maharazu Tsiga was liberated on Wednesday.
He described his terrifying ordeal in captivity, stating that hyenas had encircled him and the other captives the day before they were released.
On February 5, 2025, Tsiga was kidnapped from his hometown of Tisga, which is located in Katsina State’s Bakori Local Government Area.
Tsiga described the struggles he and other people had while in captivity in remarks made Thursday in Abuja during the transfer of 19 freed victims to their families.
“A day before I left there, that is, the day before yesterday, on the mountain where I was staying, unexpectedly, we looked around and saw hyenas parading, searching for food. And what kind of food? Us, the human beings,” he said.
He claimed that throughout their imprisonment, the hostages regularly came into contact with scorpions and snakes.
Tsiga explained that during airborne raids, the abductors utilised well-known hostages as human shields.
He said, “Whenever they were being attacked, sincerely speaking, they brought us out so that the aircraft could target us. But you know, God is merciful. The NSA has said it, and the CDS has said it – the good ones will continue to live”.
He recounted a particularly chilling experience when a rocket aimed at them failed to explode.
“They carried that rocket to where I was sleeping and hid it there so that immediately I woke up and touched it, it would explode. But God is merciful,” he said.
According to him, the kidnappers believed that government officials in uniform always had access to money, which led them to break into his house using explosives.
“ They made claims that some of us are in uniform, and the government is always putting money for us to keep. And that is why they tried to open my house. They cannot and they had to use explosives to break into my house.”
Tsiga also disclosed that the kidnappers feared aircraft more than they feared God.
He said, “They don’t fear God. They tell you not to call God for them, just give them money. But immediately they see aircraft, even their cows start running.”
Describing the harsh conditions in captivity, Tsiga revealed that they were given food only once a week and had to survive on Tuwo Dawa.
“I am hypotensive, and the only thing they could use was salt. Even if you are not a doctor, you know that there are foods people with hypertension should not eat. Now, look at me; I cannot climb these steps. It is all as a result of the salt and the beatings we endured.”
“We should not sit down and believe that the government can do it alone,” he said, highlighting the significance of cooperation in security measures. We need to help. Everyone has a responsibility to ensure security.
In order for security organisations to operate properly, he emphasised that they are not magicians and that civilians must give them timely and accurate intelligence.
Ambassador Gideon Yohana, a former deputy head of mission in Pretoria, South Africa, who was one of the freed, also thanked the Chief of Defence Staff, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and security agencies for their efforts in achieving their release.
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He commended the Federal Government’s assistance and pointed out that security has improved in some states, including Niger, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
“We know that security forces are working quietly behind the scenes, and it is not an easy task. We also heard while in captivity about the rescue of a General. We thank God that he is also free now. The security agencies are continuing their work to ensure that our nation achieves lasting peace,” Yohana.
