By Patrick Idowu
Former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Maharazu Tsiga, has shared chilling details of his 56-day ordeal in captivity, revealing how hyenas nearly mauled him and fellow hostages just a day before their release.
Tsiga was abducted on February 5 from his hometown in Tisga, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He was freed on Wednesday alongside 18 others, all of whom were handed over to their families in Abuja on Thursday.
“A day before I left, we looked around and saw hyenas circling us on the mountain,” Tsiga said. “They were clearly hunting for food – us.”
The former NYSC boss also spoke of surviving snake and scorpion attacks, enduring beatings, and eating only once a week – mostly Tuwo Dawa made with salt, a serious risk to his health as a hypertensive.
He described how kidnappers used him and other high-profile victims as human shields during aerial bombardments.
“They brought us out during air strikes so the aircraft would hesitate. A rocket was once hidden where I slept, hoping I would trigger it. But God is merciful,” he recounted.
Tsiga also revealed that the kidnappers, convinced that uniformed government officials had access to money, blew open his home with explosives in search of cash.
“These people don’t fear God. They warn you not to call on God. But when they hear aircraft, they scatter – even their cows run,” he said.
He called for stronger citizen cooperation with security agencies, noting that intelligence is key to stopping such crimes.
“We must stop thinking security is the government’s job alone. It is our collective responsibility,” he said.
Another rescued victim, Ambassador Gideon Yohana, praised the Office of the National Security Adviser and the military for their efforts.
“We were not forgotten,” he said. “Our release shows that the security forces are working hard behind the scenes to restore peace across Nigeria.”
