The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has refuted claims that senior military officers contributed funds to ensure the freedom of retired Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, immediate former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who was held captive by terrorists for 56 days.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, DHQ labeled an article by Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi (rtd) as misleading and asserted that General Tsiga’s freedom was achieved through a sustained military operation and not monetary donation.
Gusau said that soldiers of Operation Fansan Yamma embarked on a Search and Rescue operation in synergy immediately after the kidnapping occurred, which was early in the morning of February 6, 2025, at Tsiga, Kafur District of Bakori Local Government Area, Katsina State.
Troops of 17 Brigade responded swiftly at around 0300 hours, aided by the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma. They pursued them through various locations like Jeka, Areda, Zango, Ruwan Lafiya, Mununu, Matallawa, and Bakkai, prompting the kidnappers to leave behind rustled cattle and captives in a desperate bid to escape,” Gusau explained.
Although direct communication with the abductors was not made, he said that intelligence-led operations were being undertaken with air strikes and dawn raids on terrorist suspected hideouts, including Dunya Hill in Zamfara State, where General Tsiga was believed to be kept. The attacks disrupted the operations of the terrorists, during which some of the hostages broke free, even though General Tsiga was unable to do so due to health complications.
One of the hostages, Barau Garba, a secondary school teacher who was abducted together with the general, was rescued and reunited with his family later. In a different operation in Pauwa Hills and Matallawa, 84 abducted victims were rescued by troops and a number of terrorists were neutralised, but not General Tsiga.
Gusau emphasised that troops continued operations in Danmusa, Kankara, and Faskari LGAs, aggressively targeting areas where the general was believed to have been transported.
“These operations show the professionalism, sacrifice, and resilience of our troops who risk their lives on a daily basis to save Nigerians,” Gusau said. “It is not fair to discredit their efforts with unfounded allegations.”
He confirmed that both kinetic and non-kinetic measures were used in the rescue operations and that the military is committed to protecting all citizens.
The DHQ appealed to the public to assist the military by providing useful intelligence and to avoid spreading false information that could undermine national security efforts.
