A group of retired military generals has expressed deep concern over the continued captivity of former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Maharazu Ismail Tsiga (Rtd), dismissing reports of his release as false.
Speaking to journalists in Kaduna, Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi (Rtd) stated that Tsiga remains in the hands of his abductors, contrary to circulating news of his release.
He emphasized that the retired general, who was kidnapped from his home in Tsiga town, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State on February 5, 2025, has now spent over a month in captivity.
He expressed disappointment over the lack of official response from key stakeholders, including the Federal Government, the Katsina State Government, and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), noting that Tsiga’s abduction has not received the attention it deserves.
“We had expected a delegation from the Federal Government to visit or at least reach out to General Tsiga’s family, but to date, there has been no such effort. It is disheartening that despite his service to the nation, he has been abandoned,” Abdullahi lamented.
He also criticized the Katsina State Government for its silence, despite Tsiga’s contributions to the state, including his role in the fight against banditry during the tenure of former Governor Aminu Masari.
The retired general further rebuked the ACF for failing to issue a statement on Tsiga’s plight while finding time to comment on political controversies in the National Assembly.
“In 30 days, the ACF leadership has not deemed it necessary to acknowledge General Tsiga’s abduction, yet they issued a statement on the Senate President’s dispute with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. We find this attitude disappointing and unacceptable,” he stated.
He called on the Nigerian Army to show solidarity by visiting Tsiga’s family, expressing hope that security forces would intensify efforts to secure his release.
Reaffirming that reports of Tsiga’s release were false, the group urged authorities to act swiftly to ensure his safe return, stressing that his prolonged captivity reflects a broader security challenge that must be urgently addressed.
