The Defence Headquarters ( DHQ) has described the article by Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi claiming that military generals contributed money to secure the recent release of Brigadier General Mahrazu Tsiga (retired) who was held captive for 56 days as misleading.
A statement by the Director Defence Information Brigadier General Tukur Gusau said the article clearly contradicts the efforts made by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma by embarking on Search and Rescue Operation to secure the release of the Brigadier General Mahrazu Tsiga (retired) in addition to other non-kinetic efforts.
According to the DHQ spokesman, the publication includes an appreciation message from the senior officer, thanking other senior officers and civilian counterparts for their material and other support that contributed to the rescue of the former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
"While it may seem unproductive to engage with those who consistently criticize the military especially those that have benefited from the same military, it is essential to clarify the relentless efforts undertaken by the troops that facilitated General Tsiga's release"
"It is important to note that the unfortunate abduction of the former DG of NYSC occurred in the wee hours of 6 February 2025, in Tsiga, Kafur District of Bakori Local Government Area in Katsina State. Immediately, troops of 17 Brigade were alerted, they responded to the situation around 0300 hours the same day and in a commendable show of professionalism, swiftly went on pursuit in conjunction with the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma"
The Defence Headquarters said the combined efforts led to troops combing the assailants’/bandits hideouts within Jeka, Areda, and Zango, all in Kankara Local Government Area, in search of the former DG. The operation extended to Ruwan Lafiya, Mununu, Matallawa and Bakkai in Faskari Local Government Area.
He said although no direct contact was made with the abductors, the troops successfully pressured the criminals, who abandoned rustled animals and some captives in their hasty retreat. The troops nevertheless sustained the pursuit of the terrorists with unwavering determination, despite facing difficulties due to challenging terrain.
According to the statement, on 8 February, leveraging credible intelligence, troops intensified their manhunt for the abductors and conducted dawn attacks at Yankuzo and Gidan Dankaka in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State where terrorist kingpin Ado Aliero hibernates.
intelligence confirmed that he had links with the abductors.
"Unfortunately, the operations did not result in locating the terrorists. However, subsequent air operations at Dunya Hill, a suspected bandit stronghold where General Tsiga was held, disrupted the terrorists, leading to the escape of several captives. Regrettably, the former DG was unable to escape due to health concerns"
"One of the captives, Barau Garba, a teacher at Government Secondary School in Tsiga and who was with General Tsiga was rescued by troops and he shared his experience via the attached video. Barau has since been reunited with his family in Tsiga town. In another instance, troops assaulted Pauwa Hills and Matallawa area of Kankara Local Government Area in search of Brigadier General Tsiga"
"However, they were only able to rescue 84 kidnapped victims from the area without locating him. In the process, several terrorists/bandits were neutralised while 3 personnel sustained gunshot wounds"
The DHQ further narrates that Since Brigadier General Tsiga's abduction on 7 February 2025, troops have remained relentless in their pursuit, conducting both air and ground operations within Danmusa, Kankara and Faskari Local Government Areas where he was supposedly held captive at different times and these operations kept pressure on the abductors.
"It is thus only fair to recognize the significant sacrifices made by these troops who have worked day and night, often at great risk to their own lives in their search of the senior officer. The disparaging online is therefore nothing but presumably an act of mischief which is calculated undermining the dedicated efforts of military effort to eradicate terrorists/bandits and other criminal elements from the North West region"
"It is noteworthy to add that the military operations comprising both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies facilitated the rescue of General Tsiga as his life is invaluable and anything that needed to be done to ensure he was safe was adopted in ensuring a successful Search and Rescue effort"
"Troops will continue support all efforts in ensuring peace and security across the country . The general public is therefore encouraged to continue supporting troops by providing credible intelligence to assist in this regard"
Bellow is the earlier statement by Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi
GENERAL MI TSIGA: A NOTE OF APPRECIATION
Date: 4th April 2025
I, Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi, on behalf of Brigadier General MI Tsiga, friends and associates wish to express our profound gratitude and appreciation to you all on your wonderful and unexpected contributions in our struggle to ensure that General MI Tsiga regained his freedom from the 5th of February 2025 when he was violently taken away from his house in Tsiga Town, Bakori LGA of Katsina State.
The moment we heard of General MI Tsiga's kidnapping, my self and Major General LB Bunza started exchanging ideas towards the release of General Tsiga.
On the 9th of February 2025, we decided to create a WhatsApp platform that we named simply "TSIGA." The aim was to inform the general public of the unfolding situation, i.e., the abduction of General MI Tsiga. As days went by, and when the bandits made their demand of 400,000,000 naira as the ransom money they wanted before they released General MI Tsiga, we decided to solicit for donations on our TSIGA PLATFORM.
The response was overwhelming. On this platform, we had over 300 members; made up of retired military officers,serving military officers, and civilians from all segments of our society, university lecturers, ambassadors, and businessmen.
For proper accountability, General Bunza and I decided that all the contributions should be channelled into General Tsiga's bank account. So, I asked Kamal (General Tsiga's son) to send us his father's bank account. He immediately sent me General Tsiga's bank account, domiciled in Unity Bank. I posted this account on the TSIGA PLATFORM and requested donations from members to assist General Tsiga's family in meeting up with the demands of the bandits.
The response,like I had earlier observed, was overwhelming. Donations came in pouring like "August Rains."
Initially, I started updating the amount being received, but some members noticed and quickly advised that the update was not proper security-wise, so I stopped posting the daily contributions.
From 22 February 2025, when donations started coming in to 15 March 2025, the amount we received was indicative that yes, TOGETHER WE CAN.
I want to therefore, on behalf of General MI Tsiga, family, friends, colleagues and associates, thank you all for your brotherly and sisterly expression of concern and contributions both financial, moral, and even spiritual in our collective efforts to make sure General MI Tsiga regained his freedom.
Today, 4th April 2025 I have come to the end of my humble task. The task of keeping the general public informed of General MI Tsiga's predicament. As I write this little write-up, I feel fulfilled as our collective efforts have finally yielded a very positive outcome ie THE RELEASE of General MI Tsiga.
Thank you and bye......
Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi rtd
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