The former director-general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Maharazu Isma’ila Tsiga (retd.), has recounted his terrifying experience while being held captive by bandits. Tsiga was kidnapped on February 5, 2025, in his hometown of Tsiga, which is in the Bakori local government area of Katsina State, along with nine other residents. After spending 56 days in an unknown location in Zamfara State, he was released by his captors on Tuesday evening.

On Thursday evening, Tsiga finally reunited with his family and other victims during a short ceremony in Abuja, organized by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. At the event, a relieved Brig.-Gen. Tsiga (rtd) encouraged Nigerians to support security forces by sharing information to help fight against insecurity. He shared that the captors only fed them once a week, beat them, and used them as human shields when military planes flew overhead.

He also described the frightening conditions they endured, living in the mountains alongside snakes and other dangerous animals. Although he was rescued just two days ago by security forces, there are unconfirmed reports that a ransom might have been paid for his release.

While narrating his ordeal in captivity at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja, Tsiga spoke on Thursday, reflected by saying, “If there’s anything worth celebrating, it’s the deeper meaning of this situation. Just a day before my planned escape, while I was held on the mountain, we were startled to see hyenas lurking nearby, searching for their next meal. And that meal? It was us, the humans. Those of us who managed to escape were constantly surrounded by snakes and scorpions.”

He went on to express, “One particularly distressing aspect for those of us who were identified was that during attacks, they would deliberately expose us, putting our lives at risk so that the aircraft could target us. Nevertheless, I maintain my faith in divine mercy. Ultimately, good will prevail. I assure you, evil will meet its end.”

The retired senior Army officer also recounted a narrow escape in the bandits’ camp, stating, “When a rocket was fired at us, it failed to detonate. This was a grim experience for me. What followed? They relocated that rocket to my sleeping area and concealed it, intending for it to explode the moment I touched it. This is why I emphasize that God is indeed merciful.”

He stated that the bandits told him that some government officials, particularly those in uniform, have money hidden in their homes. “That’s why they tried to break into my house. They needed explosives to succeed. Now, we feel encouraged by the presence of the NSA and the CDS, which connects back to President Bola Tinubu.

“They are helping us build our confidence, believe in ourselves, and trust that God is always with us.

“Ultimately, we must understand that security is a collective responsibility. We can’t just depend on the government to take care of everything; we need to take action ourselves,” he stressed.

He also pointed out that the bandits show no fear of God, only worrying about military aircraft.

The National Security Adviser, sir, the public is worried. One thing I have to say is that they have no fear of God. Their fear comes from seeing aircraft in the sky. They want money instead of prayers. Just the sight of an aircraft, even their cows are running, while the government is working hard to solve the problem of insecurity, we should also try to contribute. The NSA and the CDS can’t do everything on their own; we must provide them with the right information so they can take effective action, Tsiga added