Ex-NYSC DG, 5 others abducted in Katsina -

7/2/2025

The Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, late Thursday, confirmed the abduction of the ex-Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brgd. Gen. Maharazu Tsiga (retd.), in Tsiga village, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, on Thursday.

According to Sadiq, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, he said, “He was abducted alongside 5 others. Efforts are being intensified in collaboration with sister security agencies and all relevant stakeholders to ensure their unhurt rescue”.

However, the Punch earlier reported that bandits had reportedly kidnapped the former NYSC Director General alongside nine others in Tsiga village in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, in the early hours of Thursday.

The bandits attacked at 12.30 am on Thursday, as eyewitness reports have it that the armed hoodlums stormed the community, shooting sporadically to scare residents.

The bandits also killed one person and abducted at least nine others, even as they were said to have ransacked several homes, carting away valuables.

A source from the Tsiga community told our correspondent through telephone conversations on condition of anonymity that the bandits had about a three-hour operation as they shot two persons.

“They came into our village and operated for about three hours. They shot two people in the process. From the look of things, General Tsiga was their target because none of his family members were kidnapped. I said this because he lives with his family there. After they picked him, they also picked others alongside the general.

“Our community has been left in shock, especially over the kidnap of the former NYSC DG, who is a well-respected leader and philanthropist and a core gentleman. We pray for Allah to bring him back to us safe”, according to the source.

Also, a close ally who is familiar with the Army operation in Katsina State who spoke off camera with our correspondent said the 17 Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Babatunde Omopariola, has since deployed his men to scan the bushes around the State to rescue the retired Army General and others unharmed.

“Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Babatunde Omopariola, has been in the bush since the night of the incident.”