The Defence Headquarters has dismissed claims that senior military officers contributed money to secure the release of a former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (retd).
The DHQ insisted that his freedom was achieved through sustained military operations and intelligence efforts.
Tsiga was abducted on February 6, 2025, in Tsiga, the Kafur District of Bakori Local Government Area, Katsina State.
A trending WhatsApp message by Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi claimed that some retired and serving military officers contributed money to pay the ransom demanded by Tsiga’s abductors.
The message further stated that the funds were paid into his account which was provided by Tsiga’s son, Kamal and thanked everyone who contributed.
However, in a statement issued on Monday, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, described the claims by Abdullahi as “misleading” and “a calculated attempt to undermine the military’s dedicated efforts” to combat terrorism and rescue abducted citizens.
Gusau said troops of 17 Brigade responded within hours and launched a series of search-and-rescue operations under Operation Fansan Yamma, in conjunction with air components.
According to him, troops combed several hideouts across Katsina and Zamfara states, including Jeka, Areda, Zango, Ruwan Lafiya, Mununu, and Pauwa Hills.
He added that though no direct contact was made with the abductors initially, the operations led to the abandonment of rustled animals and captives by fleeing terrorists.
Gusau said, “It is important to note that the unfortunate abduction of the former DG of NYSC occurred in the wee hours of 6 February 2025, in Tsiga, Kafur District of Bakori Local Government Area in Katsina State.
” Immediately, troops of 17 Brigade were alerted; they responded to the situation around 0300 hours the same day and, in a commendable show of professionalism, swiftly went on pursuit in conjunction with the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma.
“These combined efforts led to troops combing the assailants’/bandits’ hideouts within Jeka, Areda, and Zango, all in Kankara Local Government Area, in search of the former DG. The operation extended to Ruwan Lafiya, Mununu, Matallawa and Bakkai in Faskari Local Government Area.
“Although no direct contact was made with the abductors, the troops successfully pressured the criminals, who abandoned rustled animals and some captives in their hasty retreat.
“The troops nevertheless sustained the pursuit of the terrorists with unwavering determination, despite facing difficulties due to challenging terrain.”
Gusau said intelligence-led air raids on Dunya Hill—a known stronghold of terrorists—disrupted the kidnappers and enabled the escape of several captives.
He noted that while Tsiga was unable to flee due to health complications, another captive, Barau Garba, a local teacher, was rescued and reunited with his family.
He further disclosed that 84 kidnapped victims were freed in a separate assault on Pauwa Hills and surrounding areas, with several bandits neutralised and three soldiers sustaining injuries.
He said, “On February 8, leveraging credible intelligence, troops intensified their manhunt for the abductors and conducted dawn attacks at Yankuzo and Gidan Dankaka in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State where terrorist kingpin Ado Aliero hibernates. More so, intelligence confirmed that he had links with the abductors. Unfortunately, the operations did not result in locating the terrorists.
“However, subsequent air operations at Dunya Hill, a suspected bandit stronghold where General Tsiga was held, disrupted the terrorists, leading to the escape of several captives. Regrettably, the former DG was unable to escape due to health concerns. One of the captives, Barau Garba, a teacher at Government Secondary School in Tsiga and who was with General Tsiga, was rescued by troops, and he shared his experience via the attached video.
“Barau has since been reunited with his family in Tsiga town. In another instance, troops assaulted Pauwa Hills and Matallawa area of Kankara Local Government Area in search of Brigadier General Tsiga.
“However, they were only able to rescue 84 kidnapped victims from the area without locating him. In the process, several terrorists/bandits were neutralised, while three personnel sustained gunshot wounds.
“Since Brigadier General Tsiga’s abduction on 7 February 2025, troops have remained relentless in their pursuit, conducting both air and ground operations within Danmusa, Kankara and Faskari Local Government Areas, where he was supposedly held captive at different times, and these operations kept pressure on the abductors.
“It is thus only fair to recognise the significant sacrifices made by these troops who have worked day and night, often at great risk to their own lives in their search of the senior officer. The disparaging online is, therefore, nothing but presumably an act of mischief which is calculated at undermining the dedicated efforts of a military effort to eradicate terrorists/bandits and other criminal elements from the North West region.’
DHQ emphasised that a mix of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies facilitated the release of the senior officer, reiterating that no ransom was paid.
He said, “It is noteworthy to add that the military operations comprising both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies facilitated the rescue of General Tsiga as his life is invaluable and anything that needed to be done to ensure he was safe was adopted in ensuring a successful search and rescue effort.
“Troops will continue to support all efforts in ensuring peace and security across the country. The general public is therefore encouraged to continue supporting troops by providing credible intelligence to assist in this regard.”
