The former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Maharazu Tsiga, has shared the harrowing details of his 56-day abduction, recounting the terrifying moments he faced while in captivity. Tsiga, who was kidnapped on February 5, 2025, from his hometown of Tisga in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, was freed on Wednesday, having endured a harrowing ordeal that included terrifying encounters with wild animals and near-death experiences.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during the handover of 19 rescued victims to their families, Tsiga provided a chilling account of the hardships he and other hostages faced. He revealed that just a day before his release, while in captivity on a mountain, he and the other hostages were surrounded by hyenas searching for food.
“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,” Tsiga recounted.
In addition to the fear of wild animals, Tsiga and the other hostages also dealt with frequent encounters with snakes and scorpions, adding to the relentless terror they endured.
The former NYSC DG also described how the kidnappers used high-profile captives, including himself, as human shields during aerial attacks. He recalled being dragged out into the open during airstrikes, as the kidnappers believed that this would prevent the security forces from targeting them.
“We were used as shields during aerial attacks,” Tsiga explained. “Whenever they were being attacked, they brought us out so that the aircraft could target us. But you know, God is merciful. The NSA has said it, and the CDS has said it – the good ones will continue to live.”
He further shared a chilling incident when a rocket intended to kill him failed to detonate. “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,” Tsiga said.
The kidnappers’ misguided belief that government officials in uniform have access to money led them to target Tsiga’s house, where they used explosives to break in. Tsiga described the extreme conditions they endured in captivity, including being fed only once a week and surviving on a basic meal of Tuwo Dawa, a traditional Nigerian dish. He also revealed that the harsh diet, combined with the beatings they received, had taken a toll on his health.
“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,” Tsiga said, visibly weakened by the effects of his captivity.
Tsiga emphasized that the security of the nation is a collective responsibility and urged citizens to play their part by providing timely and accurate intelligence to security agencies. He stressed that security forces rely on good information to act effectively, rather than magical solutions.
In addition to Tsiga’s account, former Deputy Head of Mission in Pretoria, South Africa, Ambassador Gideon Yohana, who was also among those rescued, expressed his gratitude to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Chief of Defence Staff, and other security agencies for their efforts in securing their release.
Ambassador Yohana acknowledged the federal government’s support and praised the improvements in security in states like Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and Niger. “We know that security forces are working quietly behind the scenes, and it is not an easy task,” Yohana stated. “We also heard while in captivity about the rescue of a General. We thank God that he is also free now. The security agencies are continuing their work to ensure that our nation achieves lasting peace.”
The rescue of Tsiga and other victims highlights the ongoing efforts by Nigerian security agencies to tackle the growing issue of kidnapping and ensure the safety of citizens across the country.
