Relatives and associates of retired Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, have called on the Federal Government to take immediate steps to secure his release from kidnappers.
The ex-NYSC DG was kidnapped on February 5, 2025, in his hometown of Tsiga, located in the Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, alongside at least nine other individuals. During the incident, the assailants killed one person.
They expressed frustration that, despite the time that has passed, the government has not taken significant action to ensure his safe return.
Speaking on behalf of the family in Kaduna on Friday, Brig. General Ismaila Abdullahi (retd.) told journalists that the former NYSC DG is still with the kidnappers’ 30 days after abduction, contrary to news reports that he had been released.
The retired general also knocked the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on it’s silence over the abduction of Tsiga, an active member of the forum.
“We’re not asking for much. We just want the government to do its job and ensure that General Tsiga is rescued safely,” he said.
The family, friends, and associates of Tsiga are demanding that the government takes immediate action to rescue him.
“It’s been 30 days, and we’re yet to see any concrete action from the government..
“As a retired military officer, General Tsiga dedicated his life to serving this nation. It’s disheartening to see that the government has not deemed it fit to take decisive action to rescue him,” Abdullahi said.
He also expressed disappointment over the lack of reaction from the Federal Government, noting that till date, nobody either from Katsina State or Federal Government had deemed it fit to call or visit the family.
He said, “A team from the Federal Government should have visited the family of General Tsiga to express sympathy and concern. But till date, no one has deemed it fit to visit or even call the family.
“As a prominent citizen of Katsina State, General Tsiga deserves better. The state government’s silence on this matter is deafening.”
Abdullahi, while criticising the ACF for its silence on Tsiga’s abduction, said, “The ACF’s leadership has not deemed it fit to address this issue. Instead, they found time to issue a press statement on a scandal at the National Assembly.”
He also noted the Nigerian Army’s efforts to rescue Tsiga have been acknowledged, but their failure to visit or communicate with his family has been criticize.
“A simple gesture of sympathy and support would have gone a long way in alleviating the family’s distress,” Abdullahi added.
