The former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Maharazu Tsiga, yesterday recounted his harrowing experience in captivity, revealing that hyenas surrounded him and other hostages a day before their release.

Tsiga, who was abducted on February 5, 2025, from his hometown of Tisga in Bakori Local Council of Katsina State, regained his freedom on Wednesday after spending 56 days in captivity.

Speaking in Abuja during the handover of 19 rescued victims to their families by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Tsiga detailed the hardships he and others endured while in captivity.

“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 adding that the hostages frequently encountered snakes and scorpions while in captivity.

Tsiga described how the kidnappers used high-profile captives as human shields during aerial attacks. “Whenever they were being attacked, they brought us out so that the aircraft could target us. But you know, God is merciful.”

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.”

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, 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 to 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.”