Hyenas Wanted to Eat us Before Released From Captivity – Tsiga

Whenever they were being attacked they brought us out so that they could target us

Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (rtd), who had previously served as the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, has detailed his traumatic experience of being held captive.

Tsiga disclosed that hyenas wanted to feed on him and other hostages before released from kidnappers’ den. He also revealed that whenever the bandits were being attacked by troops, they were used as hostages so that the aircraft could target them.

Bandits raided the Tsiga hamlet in Katsina State’s Bakori local government area and abducted a number of locals, including Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (rtd). Residents were in a state of terror and mayhem as armed attackers invaded the hamlet early on February 5 2025, Thursday morning, at precisely 12:30 am.

Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga (Rtd), was released from captivity after being held captive for a total of 56 days.

Tsiga was released in Zamfara State, and from there he was taken to the capital city of Abuja.

During his speech on Thursday in Abuja, which took place during the handover of 19 rescued victims to their families, Tsiga highlighted the difficulties that he and other individuals had to undergo while they were held captive.

Tsiga said, “A day before I left there, that is, the day before yesterday, on the mountain where I was staying, unexpectedly, we looked around and saw hyenas parading, searching for food. And what kind of food? Us, the human beings.”

Tsiga detailed the manner in which the kidnappers used prominent hostages as human shields during aircraft assaults.

“Whenever they were being attacked, sincerely speaking, they brought us out so that the aircraft could target us.

“But you know, God is merciful. The NSA has said it, and the CDS has said it – the good ones will continue to live.

“They carried a rocket to where I was sleeping and hid it there so that immediately I woke up and touched it, it would explode. But God is merciful.

“They made claims that some of us are in uniform, the government is always putting money for us to keep. And that is why they tried to open my house. They cannot, and they had to use explosives to break into my house.

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He also said, “They don’t fear God. They tell you not to call God for them, just to give them money. But immediately they see aircraft, even their cows start running.”

Tsiga revealed that he is “hypotensive, and the only thing they could use was salt. Even if you are not a doctor, you know that there are foods people with hypertension should not eat. Now, look at me; I cannot climb these steps. It is all as a result of the salt and the beatings we endured.

“We should not sit down and believe that the government can do it alone. We must contribute. Security is a collective responsibility.”

Ambassador Gideon Yohana, who had previously served as the Deputy Head of Mission in Pretoria, South Africa, was one of the individuals that were rescued. He thanked the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the other security agencies for their efforts in achieving their release.

He said, “We know that security forces are working quietly behind the scenes, and it is not an easy task. We also heard while in captivity about the rescue of a General. We thank God that he is also free now. The security agencies are continuing their work to ensure that our nation achieves lasting peace.”