Former director-general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-Gen. Maharazu Tsiga (rtd) has narrated his ordeal at the bandits’ camp after his release, calling on Nigerians to support security operatives with timely information.
He said they were fed once in a week, beaten and always being used as shield when military aircraft arrived the bandits’ location.
He added that they were made to share the same space in the mountains with snakes and other dangerous wild animals.
Tsiga was kidnapped on February 5, 2025, from his hometown of Tsiga, Bakori local government area of Katsina State, alongside nine others.
He was rescued two days ago by security operatives, though reports indicated ransom was paid for his release.
But narrating his own ordeal at the Office of the National Security Adviser on Thursday in Abuja, he said, “I think if there is anything to be celebrated, it is this kind of situation that is the most important to be celebrated. A day before I left there, that is the day before yesterday, on the mountain I was staying, unexpectedly, we saw a hyena parading around us to get its own food. And which kind of food? We, the human beings. Those of us that experienced that place, we always stay with snakes and scorpions.
“And one bad experience, particularly for those of us who, they knew our rank, whenever they are being attacked, sincerely speaking, they bring us out, so that the aircraft can hit us. But you know God is merciful. The good ones will continue to live. Wallahi, there is end to the bad ones.”
General Tsiga, narrating his near-death experience in the bandits’ camp said, “When a rocket was sent to us, it did not explode. What happened? They carried that rocket to where I was sleeping. And they kept it there, hide it so that immediately I come and touch it, it will explode and that is why I told us, God is merciful.”
He said the bandits told him people in government particularly those in uniform had money that they stored in their houses.
“And that is why they tried to open my house but they could not. They had to use explosives to open my house. Now, we are being encouraged by calling us here, the NSA, the CDS, which when you call these two, you are talking about President Bola Tinubu, to make sure that we have confidence; to make sure that we believe in ourselves and to make sure that God is there for us always.”
“Lastly, we should all know that security is a collective responsibility. We should not sit down and believe that the government can do it alone. We must do it ourselves.“
He said the bandits have no regard for God, adding that the only thing the bandits are afraid of is aircraft.
„The national security adviser sir, the people are really in fear. One thing I have to say here is that they don‘t fear God, but they fear aircraft. They tell you, don‘t call God for them, just give them money. But immediately they see aircraft, even their cows are running. Therefore, we should try as much as possible. Inasmuch as the government is doing the best it can, we should also try to contribute. The NSA is not a magician; the CDS is not a magician. You must bring the information to them so that they will act on it.
„They cannot be going there to search your mind to know what is there. But it is being done when a report is being sent to them. I am not saying just any report; a good report. Because they say, two heads are better than one. No. Two good heads are better than one. Because it’s not every head that is good.
„So we thank Almighty God for giving us this opportunity to live again. We thank Almighty God for us to come together. You know, when they brought me out, I said, am I still a human being?
„Well, now you can‘t see any human being where we are. When you sit like this, you sit down, they give you food once in a week, and it is guinea corn food.
„I am hypertensive. The only thing they can use is salt and even if you are not a doctor, you know that there are people who are hypertensive. If you continue to eat (salt); now look at it.
„I cannot climb this step; it is all the salt and the beating and the rest of them that they gave us.
„So, I want to say thank you very much for calling us. Thank you very much; please work harder. We were there 20 years ago doing the same thing. And I feel that we are very strong to contribute whenever our attention is needed. Those of you that are my colleagues here, take heart. Be stronger than what you are.
“It is a challenge, but I‘m telling you a very good challenge that will prepare your future,“ he said.
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