The gunmen who kidnapped retired Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), have demanded a ₦250 million ransom for his release.

A source close to the family, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Daily Trust that the kidnappers had reached out with their demands.

Tsiga was abducted alongside nine other residents in a coordinated midnight attack on Wednesday in Bakori Local Government Area, Katsina State. The assailants also killed one person while ransacking several homes and looting valuables.

Eyewitnesses reported that over 100 armed attackers stormed the area, surrounded Tsiga’s residence, and forcibly took him away.

Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai, the lawmaker representing Bakori/Danja Federal Constituency, revealed that the gunmen systematically broke into multiple homes before Tsiga confronted them.

Military Response

In response to the attack, the Nigerian military has launched a search-and-rescue operation to locate Tsiga and apprehend his abductors.

Troops of the Nigerian Army have been deployed, with Brigadier General Babatunde Omopariola, Commander of the 17 Brigade, personally leading the operation deep into the forests of Katsina State.

A senior military official confirmed to Punch that, “Brigadier General Omopariola has been in the bush since the night of the incident, leading efforts to track down the kidnappers.”