The release of the former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (retired), from the kidnappers den was reportedly facilitated following efforts from his colleagues and various professionals, an appreciation message from his colleague suggests.
Punch reports that a retired Brigadier General, Ismaila Abdullahi has narrated now financial contributions from military personnel helped secure the release of Tsiga after spending over 55 days with his captors.
Abdullahi in a viral appreciation post commended a wide spectrum of associates and allies of Tsiga who pulled through to ensure his release.
He explained that upon hearing about the former NYSC DG’s abduction from his Katsina residence on February 5, 2025, he created a WhatsApp group, code-named TSIGA for coordinated information sharing about his kidnap.
On the group, Abdullahi said contributions were made by former colleagues and friends of Tsiga immediately the kidnappers demanded the payment of N400 million as ransom for his release.
According to him, the WhatsApp group had over 300 members, made up of retired military officers, serving military officers, and civilians from all segments of our society, university lecturers, ambassadors, and businessmen.
In the message which has now gone viral, Abdullahi highlighted how he worked with Kama, General Tsiga’s son to send his father’s account number to the group.
He said, “He (Kamal) immediately sent me General Tsiga’s bank account, domiciled in Unity Bank. I posted this account on the TSIGA PLATFORM and requested donations from members to assist General Tsiga’s family in meeting the demands of the bandits.”
“The response, like I had earlier observed, was overwhelming. Donations came in pouring like ‘August Rains’,” Abdullahi stated.
He, however, noted that updates on donations made to the group was stopped over some security issues raised by members.
“From 22 February 2025, when donations started coming in to 15 March 2025, the amount we received was indicative that yes, TOGETHER WE CAN.”
“I want to therefore, on behalf of General MI Tsiga, family, friends, colleagues and associates, thank you all for your brotherly and sisterly expression of concern and contributions both financial, moral, and even spiritual in our collective efforts to make sure General MI Tsiga regained his freedom.”
“Today, 4th April 2025 I have come to the end of my humble task… I feel fulfilled as our collective efforts have finally yielded a very positive outcome ie THE RELEASE of General MI Tsiga,” he added.
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