Abuja, Nigeria – Maharazu Tsiga, the recently rescued former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has revealed chilling details of his captivity, including being used as a human shield against airstrikes and surviving an attempted rocket attack by his abductors.
Surviving Terror in the Wilderness
In his first public account since his release, Tsiga described to The PUNCH how he endured:
- Hyena attacks: “The predators circled our camp, hunting humans for food.”
- Deadly wildlife: Constant threats from scorpions and venomous snakes in the forest hideout.
- Airstrike shields: Kidnappers forced victims to stand exposed when military aircraft approached.
Assassination Attempt
The retired general disclosed a particularly close call:
“They placed a live rocket beside me as I slept—one touch would have killed me. Only God’s mercy saved me.”
Kidnappers’ Motives & Brutality
Tsiga explained his targeting:
✔ False belief that government officials hoard cash (“They blasted into my home with explosives”).
✔ Ruthless demands: “They forbade us from praying—only ransom mattered.”
✔ Starvation tactics: One weekly meal of Tuwo Dawa (millet porridge), exacerbating his hypertension.
Security Wake-Up Call
While praising the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu for his rescue, Tsiga urged collective vigilance:
“Security isn’t government’s job alone. Citizens must collaborate to end this menace.”
Rescue Operation
- 19 hostages, including Tsiga, were freed in a coordinated operation.
- N250 million ransom had been demanded earlier (per SaharaReporters).
- Ribadu commended security agencies but acknowledged ongoing challenges.
