Military begins search as bandits abduct ex-NYSC DG in Katsina

Military forces have begun a search-and-rescue operation following the abduction of former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig. Gen. Maharazu Tsiga (retd.), by bandits in Tsiga village, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The attack, which occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, reportedly lasted for three hours.

The bandits also killed one person and kidnapped at least nine others while ransacking homes and looting valuables.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants stormed the community, shooting sporadically to instill fear.

A resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that Gen. Tsiga was the primary target.

“From the look of things, General Tsiga was their target because none of his family members were kidnapped. He is living with his family there, but after they picked him, they also picked others alongside the general,” the source said.

The Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, said he had yet to be briefed on the incident but promised to provide updates once available.

“I am yet to be briefed on the facts of the reports. I’ll get back to you as soon as I get the details, please,” he said.

The Nigerian Army has since mobilised troops to locate and rescue the abducted general and other victims.

A senior military official familiar with the situation revealed that the Commander of the 17 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Babatunde Omopariola, personally led the search operation in the forested areas of the state.

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

As of press time, no official statements had been released by the Army, Police, or NYSC headquarters regarding the incident.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has activated the toll-free 112 emergency number for Nigerians to report kidnapping and security threats.

The National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, announced the initiative as part of broader efforts to combat ransom-driven abductions.

“The Nigerian Communications Commission has facilitated an emergency response number—112. The NCTC calls on all Nigerians to report suspicious activities, crimes, kidnappings, among others, by calling the toll-free number 112, including the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell designated numbers that will be provided to members of the public,” Laka said.

He noted that while Nigeria recorded a 16.3% decrease in kidnapping incidents in 2024 compared to the previous year, the number of victims rose slightly by 0.27%. Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara states in the North-West were identified as the most affected regions, accounting for 13.8% of total incidents and 61.1% of recorded victims.

Laka explained that bandits, terrorists, cultists, and separatist groups continue to use kidnapping as a primary source of funding for illicit activities.

“In 2024, Nigeria recorded a 16.3 per cent decrease in incidents compared to 2023. However, the number of victims increased slightly by 0.27 per cent. Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara states in the North-West accounted for the highest prevalence, with 13.8 per cent of total incidents and 61.1 per cent of victims of the total recorded cases,” he said.

He stressed that despite government efforts, mass abductions persist, forcing agrarian communities to flee, disrupting food production, and driving up food prices. “The sustained payment of ransom fuelled the crime, as perpetrators exploited families’ fears to demand exorbitant sums,” Laka added.

The government has employed both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, including military raids, arrests of kidnappers, and destruction of hideouts. Looking ahead to 2025, Laka stated, “The government projects that kidnapping for ransom will persist in 2025 due to its financial incentives. To counter this, authorities aim to strengthen counter-kidnapping initiatives, expand efforts to the six geo-political regions, improve collaborations with the 36 state governments, reinforce public confidence in government protection to discourage ransom payments, and engage state governments to address unemployment and economic vulnerabilities that drive individuals to crime.”