The former Director-General of Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Maharazu Tsiga, has shared shocking details of his 56-day captivity after being abducted on February 5, 2025, from his hometown of Tisga in Katsina State. Tsiga regained freedom on Wednesday and described the harrowing experience during a handover ceremony in Abuja where 19 rescued victims were reunited with their families.
Narrating his ordeal, Tsiga revealed that hyenas encircled him and other hostages just one day before their release. “On the mountain where I was held, we suddenly saw hyenas prowling, looking for food. And that food was us, human beings,” he said.
The hostages faced additional dangers from wildlife, including snakes and scorpions. Tsiga highlighted how kidnappers used high-profile captives as human shields during aerial attacks, explaining, “Whenever they were under attack, they brought us out to ensure the aircraft would target us. But God’s mercy saved us.”
In a chilling account, Tsiga described how a rocket aimed at him failed to explode. “The kidnappers hid the rocket where I slept so that if I touched it upon waking, it would detonate. But God protected me,” he said.
Tsiga recounted that the kidnappers targeted his home using explosives, believing government officials in uniform had access to money. “They assumed people in uniform were wealthy and broke into my house with explosives,” he noted.
The abductors reportedly showed more fear of aircraft than of divine justice. “They don’t fear God and demand money without remorse. But when they see aircraft, even their animals scatter,” Tsiga added.
Conditions in captivity were dire, with hostages receiving food only once a week. Tsiga, who suffers from hypotension, endured severe physical challenges. “We survived on Tuwo Dawa, and I had to consume excessive salt despite my health condition. This, combined with the beatings, has left me physically weakened,” he lamented.
Calling for collective security efforts, Tsiga urged citizens to provide timely intelligence to security agencies. “Security is a shared responsibility. We must support the government by supplying accurate information,” he said.
Former Deputy Head of Mission in Pretoria, South Africa, Ambassador Gideon Yohana, also among the rescued, expressed gratitude for the coordinated efforts of Nigeria’s security agencies. He applauded their progress in enhancing security across states like Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and Niger. “Rescue operations are ongoing, and we are grateful for the dedication of the security forces. Their work is essential to achieving lasting peace,” Yohana stated.
