Gunmen who abducted retired Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, the former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), are demanding a ₦250 million ransom for his release.
The kidnappers contacted Tsiga’s family with the demand, according to a source close to the family who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Tsiga was abducted alongside nine other residents in a coordinated attack that occurred around midnight on Wednesday in Bakori Local Government Area, Katsina State.
The assailants killed one person, ransacked several homes, and carted away valuables. Eyewitnesses reported that over 100 attackers stormed the area, surrounding Tsiga’s residence before taking him away.
The Nigerian military has launched a search-and-rescue operation to locate Tsiga. Brigadier General Babatunde Omopariola, Commander of the 17 Brigade, is leading the search operation deep into the forests of Katsina State.
A senior military official confirmed that Omopariola “has been in the bush since the night of the incident”