How Troops Secured Ex-NYSC Boss, Gen Tsiga’s Release – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters ( DHQ) has narrated how troops’ efforts led to the rescue of former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYS NYSC)  DG Brig-Gen Maharazu Tsiga from terrorist captives.

The Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, stated this while reacting to a misleading article by Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi, which claims that military generals contributed money to secure the recent release of Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (retired), who was held captive for 56 days.

Gusau said the article contradicted the efforts made by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, who embarked on a Search and Rescue Operation to secure the release of Brigadier General Mahrazu Tsiga (retired) in addition to other non-kinetic efforts.

He said while it may seem unproductive to engage with those who consistently criticise the military, especially those who have benefited from the same military, it is essential to clarify the relentless efforts undertaken by the troops that facilitated General Tsiga’s release.

“It is important to note that the unfortunate abduction of the former DG of NYSC occurred in the wee hours of 6 February 2025, in Tsiga, Kafur District of Bakori Local Government Area in Katsina State. Immediately, troops of the 17 Brigade were alerted; they responded to the situation around 0300 hours the same day and swiftly went on pursuit in conjunction with the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma in a commendable show of professionalism. These combined efforts led to troops combing the assailants’/bandits’ hideouts within Jeka, Areda, and Zango, all in Kankara Local Government Area, searching for the former DG. The operation extended to Ruwan Lafiya, Mununu, Matallawa and Bakkai in the Faskari Local Government Area. Although no direct contact was made with the abductors, the troops successfully pressured the criminals, who abandoned rustled animals and some captives in their hasty retreat. The troops nevertheless sustained the pursuit of the terrorists with unwavering determination despite facing difficulties due to challenging terrain.

“On 8 February, leveraging credible intelligence, troops intensified their manhunt for the abductors and conducted dawn attacks at Yankuzo and Gidan Dankaka in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State where terrorist kingpin Ado Aliero hibernates. More so, intelligence confirmed that he had links with the abductors. Unfortunately, the operations did not result in locating the terrorists. However, subsequent air operations at Dunya Hill, a suspected bandit stronghold where General Tsiga was held, disrupted the terrorists, leading to the escape of several captives. Regrettably, the former DG was unable to escape due to health concerns. One of the captives, Barau Garba, a teacher at Government Secondary School in Tsiga and who was with General Tsiga, was rescued by troops, and he shared his experience via the attached video. Barau has since been reunited with his family in the town of Tsiga. In another instance, troops assaulted Pauwa Hills and Matallawa area of Kankara Local Government Area in search of Brigadier General Tsiga. However, they were only able to rescue 84 kidnapped victims from the area without locating him. In the process, several terrorists/bandits were neutralised while three personnel sustained gunshot wounds.

“Since Brigadier General Tsiga’s abduction on 7 February 2025, troops have remained relentless in their pursuit, conducting both air and ground operations within Danmusa, Kankara and Faskari Local Government Areas where he was supposedly held captive at different times, and these operations kept pressure on the abductors. It is thus only fair to recognise the significant sacrifices made by these troops who have worked day and night, often at considerable risk to their own lives in their search for the senior officer. The disparaging online is, therefore, nothing but presumably an act of mischief which is calculated to undermine the dedicated efforts of a military effort to eradicate terrorists/bandits and other criminal elements from the North West region.

It is noteworthy to add that military operations comprising both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies facilitated the rescue of General Tsiga. His life is invaluable, and anything that needed to be done to ensure his safety was adopted to ensure a successful Search and Rescue effort.

Troops will continue to support all efforts in ensuring peace and security across the country. The general public is therefore encouraged to continue supporting troops by providing credible intelligence to assist in this regard. ”