The abductors of retired General Maharazu Tsiga, a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), have demanded a N250 million ransom for his release.
Tsiga was kidnapped alongside several residents of Tsiga village in Kankara Local Government Area, Katsina State, during an attack by gunmen armed with sophisticated weapons.
A family source, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that the kidnappers’ ringleader contacted the family on Friday night, demanding the ransom.
Police Confirm Abduction, Assure Swift Action
The Katsina State Police Command has confirmed the abduction and assured the public that it is “on top of the situation” in collaboration with other security agencies.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq, said security operatives responded immediately after receiving reports of the attack at about 5:30 a.m. on February 6, 2025.
“Unfortunately, before the arrival of the operatives, the hoodlums had already succeeded in their mission,” Sadiq stated.
He also disclosed that in January 2025 alone, 45 suspects were arrested in connection with various crimes across the state.
Details of the Attack
Sources revealed that the attack lasted only a few minutes, during which two residents were injured, and one of the kidnappers was accidentally shot and killed by his colleagues.
Katsina is among several North-Western and North-Central states plagued by bandit attacks, where gunmen frequently raid villages, abduct residents, and destroy properties.
The kidnappers are believed to be part of armed groups operating from forest camps spanning Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger states, notorious for mass kidnappings and violent raids.
Security Efforts in Katsina State
To combat the worsening insecurity, Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, in 2023, launched the Katsina Community Watch Corps (KCWC), a 2,000-member vigilante force supporting the military and police in tackling banditry.
While the police have assured that efforts are underway to secure Tsiga’s release, concerns remain over the rising wave of kidnappings in the region.
