A fresh wave of confusion has erupted following comments by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, who credited Nigerian security forces with the “rescue” of Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga (retd.), former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and several other kidnap victims.
Ribadu, while receiving the freed hostages in Abuja, commended the gallantry of security and intelligence agencies, asserting that the victims—including Tsiga and Ambassador Gideon Yohana—were rescued from various locations during coordinated operations. The NSA praised the synergy among armed forces, stating that this joint effort was responsible for the victims’ safe return.
But Ribadu’s narrative stands in stark contrast to independent accounts and statements from sources close to Tsiga’s family, which claim the former NYSC DG was released following an extensive ransom negotiation—not a security operation.
Tsiga was abducted on February 5, 2025, in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, along with nine others. According to a detailed report by Daily Trust, a ransom amount significantly higher than the previously reported ₦60 million was paid to secure his freedom. A family source revealed that after the ransom payment was made, the kidnappers remained silent for a week before allowing Tsiga to contact his family.
This stark difference between the official and unofficial accounts has raised troubling questions about the transparency and credibility of Nigeria’s security leadership. If Tsiga was indeed released after a private ransom deal, why is the government framing it as a rescue mission?
Security analysts warn that such conflicting narratives not only damage public trust, but also obscure the true state of Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis. “If families are left to negotiate their own way out while the government claims success, it suggests a dangerous disconnect,” one observer noted.
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National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Coordinator, Adamu Laka, further reinforced Ribadu’s version, stating that Tsiga, Yohana, and others were rescued from Gadan Maga village and other locations, and were receiving medical attention before reuniting with their families.
However, no visual evidence of a military rescue operation has been presented to corroborate these claims, and neither the NSA nor the Defence Headquarters has addressed the ransom reports.
General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, lauded the NSA for enabling inter-agency cooperation and pledged that the military would “not sleep” until all Nigerians are safe. Yet, the broader public remains skeptical in light of ongoing kidnappings and rising insecurity.
As Nigerians celebrate Tsiga’s safe return, the fundamental question remains unanswered: Was he rescued by the state—or ransomed by his family while the state looked on?
Until a full and transparent explanation emerges, this case will continue to cast a long shadow over the government’s handling of national security and its communication with the public.
