“How We Were Kept with Hyenas, Snakes,” Ex-NYSC DG Tsiga Recounts Ordeal in Kidnappers’ Den
- Former NYSC director-general, Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (rtd.), has spent over two months in captivity and survived dangerous encounters with wild animals and terrorists
- The terrorists used abductees, including Tsiga, as human shields during military airstrikes, endangering their lives to avoid being targeted
- However, Tsiga, who expressed gratitude to national security officials led by NSA Nuhu Ribadu, has narrated how he and 18 other rescued kidnap victims fared in captivity
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
FCT, Abuja - Former director-general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (rtd), who spent over two months in captivity, has recounted his harrowing experience in the hands of terrorists and kidnappers.
Source: Facebook
Speaking with newsmen on Thursdays, April 3, Tsiga revealed that he and other abductees were held in a dense forest surrounded by hills, teeming with dangerous animals.
The ex-NYSC DG described his survival as nothing short of divine intervention, Vanguard reported.
The 72-year-old said:
“We were kept with dangerous animals—hyenas, snakes, and scorpions. A day before I was released, just the day before yesterday, while on the mountain where I was staying, we suddenly noticed a hyena circling us, looking for food. And what kind of food? Us, human beings.”
“Throughout our time there, we constantly lived with snakes and scorpions. But the most terrifying experience was how they treated those of us whose ranks they knew. Whenever troops attacked them, they would bring us out and use us as human shields, hoping to get us killed by the military strikes. They wanted us to be hit by the aircraft. But God is merciful.”
Source: Twitter
He also highlighted the kidnappers’ belief that military officers have access to government funds, which led them to attack his home.
“They believe that those of us in uniform are given money by the government. That’s why they tried to break into my house. They couldn’t, so they went to my home in Kaduna and used explosives to destroy it, including the gates.”
NSA hands over ex-NYSC DG, 18 others to CDS
Meanwhile, the National Counter Terrorism Center on Thursday, handed over the former director-general (DG) of the NYSC, Maharazu Tsiga, to the national security adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
The handover took place in Abuja.
During the handover, NSA Ribadu commended the efforts of the security forces and intelligence agencies involved in the rescue operation that freed Tsiga and 18 other kidnap victims.
Read articles about NYSC, kidnappings here:
- NYSC issues certificates to corps members who spent service year in kidnappers’ den
- Benue, Anambra attacks: Peter Obi decries rising insecurity
Archbishop recounts 27-day ordeal in kidnappers’ den
In another development, Legit.ng reported that the ex-governor of Anambra state and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, visited the freed Archbishop of Nnewi Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Godwin Okpala.
During the visit, the Archbishop, who recently regained his freedom, recounted how he was fed remnants of food eaten by kidnappers once daily.
The archbishop and his driver were kidnapped during a trip to the Umuchu community in Aguata LGA, Anambra state, and they spent 27 days and regained freedom on January 3, 2025.
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Source: Legit.ng
Esther Odili (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Esther Odili is a journalist and a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng with 6+ years of experience. She Holds OND and HND in Mass Communication from the Nigerian Institue of Journalism (NIJ), where she was recognized as the best student in print journalism in 2018. Before joining Legit.ng, Esther has worked with other reputable media houses, such as the New Telegraph newspaper and Galaxy Television. In 2024, Esther obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. Email: esther.odili@corp.legit.ng.
Kola Muhammed (Copyeditor) Kola Muhammed is an experienced editor and content strategist who has overseen content and public relations strategies for some of the biggest (media) brands in Sub-Saharan Africa. He has over 5 years of experience in copyediting.
