Armed bandits have abducted Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (Retd), a former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), alongside nine other residents in Tsiga village, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The attack occurred late Wednesday night at approximately 11:30 p.m. when the gunmen stormed the community, firing sporadically before invading the residence of the retired general. Reports indicate that the assailants shot three residents, including two sons of Tsiga’s neighbor, before whisking him and others away into a nearby forest.
A relative of Tsiga, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the victims who sustained injuries were receiving treatment at the Comprehensive Healthcare Centre in the community, with plans to transfer them to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, due to the severity of their wounds.
“During the attack, General Tsiga pleaded to give them whatever they wanted, but they refused and took him away,” the source said.
Tsiga, who has reportedly been battling an undisclosed illness since leaving office, was abducted while in the company of some relatives and personal security guards. His immediate family members were not present at the time of the attack.
Katsina State has been one of the hardest-hit states in the North-West region, with bandits frequently raiding communities, abducting residents, and looting properties. These criminal elements are known to operate from forest hideouts spanning Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger states.
The Katsina State government, under Governor Dikko Umar Radda, has reiterated its stance against negotiating with bandits. Speaking during a recent visit by Major General Ibikunle Ademola Ajose, the General Officer Commanding 8 Division and Commander of Joint Task Force Northwest Operation, the governor emphasized that any peace deal with bandits must involve strict conditions and full community engagement.
While security forces, including the military, police, and Katsina Community Watch Corps (KCWC), have intensified efforts to combat banditry, the latest kidnapping underscored the persistent security challenges in the region.
Authorities are yet to provide further updates on efforts to rescue the victims.
