295
By Bayo Davids
A retired military officer, Brig. Gen. Ismaila Abdullahi has disclosed steps taken by ex and serving military personnel and other well-meaning Nigerians to secure the release of Brig-Gen. Maharazu Ismail Tsiga (retd), the former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Recall that the ex-NYSC DG was abducted from his house in Tsiga town, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State on February 5, 2025, by gunmen.
His abductors later opened a line of communication with his family demanding as much as N400m to secure his release.
In all, the General spent 56 days in captivity before he was reunited with his family, following the payment of an undisclosed sum of money.
In a note of appreciation, Tsiga’s friend, Gen. Abdullahi narrated how Nigerians responded to his call for help, to secure freedom for the former NYSC boss.
The note reads, “I, Brig. Gen. Ismaila Abdullahi, on behalf of Brigadier General M I Tsiga, friends and associates, wishes to express our profound gratitude and appreciation to you all for your wonderful and unexpected contributions in our struggle to ensure that General M I Tsiga regained his freedom.
“The moment we heard of General M I Tsiga’s kidnapping, myself and Major General L B Bunza started exchanging ideas towards his release.
“On the 9th of February 2025, we decided to create a WhatsApp platform that we named simply “TSIGA.” The aim was to inform the general public of the unfolding situation, i.e., the abduction of General M I Tsiga. As days went by, and when the bandits made their demand of N400m as the ransom money they wanted before they released General M I Tsiga, we decided to solicit donations on our TSIGA PLATFORM.
“The response was overwhelming. On this platform, we had over 300 members, made up of retired military officers, serving military officers, civilians from all segments of our society, university lecturers, ambassadors, and businessmen.
“For proper accountability, General Bunza and I decided that all the contributions should be channelled into General Tsiga’s bank account. So, I asked Kamal (General Tsiga’s son) to send us his father’s bank account. He immediately sent me General Tsiga’s bank account, domiciled in Unity Bank. I posted this account on the TSIGA PLATFORM and requested donations from members to assist General Tsiga’s family in meeting the demands of the bandits.”
According to him, “The response was overwhelming. Donations came in pouring like ‘August Rains.’”
He continued, “Initially, I started updating the amount being received, but some members noticed and quickly advised that the update was not proper security-wise, so I stopped posting the daily contributions.
“From 22 February 2025, when donations started coming in to 15 March 2025, the amount we received was indicative that yes, TOGETHER WE CAN.
“I want to therefore, on behalf of General M I Tsiga, family, friends, colleagues and associates, thank you all for your brotherly and sisterly expression of concern and contributions, both financial, moral, and even spiritual in our collective efforts to make sure General M I Tsiga regained his freedom.
“Today, 4th April 2025, I have come to the end of my humble task- the task of keeping the general public informed of General M I Tsiga’s predicament. As I write this little write-up, I feel fulfilled as our collective efforts have finally yielded a very positive outcome, the release of Gen. M I Tsiga.”
In what is truly a food for thought, Gen. Abdullahi questioned rhetorically the potency of the Nigerian state to rise as a sovereign nation to defend her citizens.
“Who is safe again in this country?” he asked, adding sarcastically that “Generals contributed money to free a fellow General from ragamuffin bandits!”