Generals, civilians raised ransom for release of ex-NYSC DG – Abdullahi
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said that a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig.-Gen Muhrazu Tsiga (rtd), was rescued by military operation, contrary to what was being circulated in the social media.
It said Gen. Tsiga was rescued through a search and rescue operation by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma in North West “in addition to other non-kinetic efforts.”
Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi (retd.) had said that the release of retired Tsiga, who was abducted from his Katsina State home on February 5, 2025, was facilitated by generous financial contributions from fellow army generals, serving and retired military officers, and a wide spectrum of civilians.
In a note of appreciation shared on Facebook on Sunday, on behalf of Tsiga and his associates, Abdullahi detailed the community-driven effort that secured the retired general’s freedom. He highlighted the role of a WhatsApp platform named “TSIGA,” created on February 9, to coordinate information and solicit donations after bandits demanded a N400 million ransom.
“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,” Abdullahi stated in the message.
Abdullahi described the outpouring support as remarkable, saying, “The response, like I had earlier observed, was overwhelming. Donations came in pouring like ‘August Rains.’”
But the Military High Command, in a statement through the Director of Defence Information, Brig.Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Monday, refuted the claim.
The statement explained the days Gen. Tsiga and others were abducted, troops of 17 Brigade and the Air Force component of Operation Fansan Yamma were alerted and responded immediately to the situation at about 3am that same day.
It said: “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.
