RingTrue with Yemi Adebowale, February 11, 2025. yemiadebowale@yahoo.com; 08054699539 (text only)
Retired Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga who was abducted from his home in Tsiga village, Bakori LGA of Katsina State on February 6, is seven days old in the dungeon of the terrorists.
On that very sad day, the terrorists entered Tsiga village and operated for about three unhindered, killing and maiming, before abducting General Tsiga along with five others. They are now demanding N250 million ransom for the General’s release.
Katsina is one of the states under the servitude of guerillas for years. Extremists run the show in many LGAs here, yet we say we have a government in this country. Well, traumatised families in Tsiga village are hoping that the abductees would be swiftly rescued because one of them is a retired General. Unfortunately, this has not materialised.
The hopeless story from the police is that they are “collaborating with sister security agencies and all relevant stakeholders to ensure they are rescued unhurt”. The affected families are disillusioned. The Nigerian Army has also been slow in getting result. General Tsiga, who was once the ex-Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, must be wondering why his beloved Army is still struggling to rescue him. Regrettably, the Nigerian Army he served with all his might is no longer what it used to be. Tsiga must be terribly disappointed.
The abduction of General Tsiga is a further reminder of the level beloved Nigeria has degenerated in terms of insecurity. Those saying security has improved under Tinubu are being economical with the truth. Terrorists are very much alive and kicking, killing, maiming and abducting innocent Nigerians for ransom. Attacks still come in droves. Many are not reported. In just 42 of this 2025, scores of attacks have been successfully carried out by terrorists across Nigeria without consequences. During this period, over 300 innocent Nigerians were killed by these non-state actors.
Some local government areas in General Tsiga’s Katsina State are fully under the control of terrorists. They impose levies and run a government. On January 4, the terrorists killed the Katsina State Acting Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Amadu Surajo, and three others at Mai Rana village, Kusada LGA of the state. The terrorists also abducted Surajo’s two wives, along with one of his daughters. Scores of residents were injured in that attack.
On January 7, they attacked a joint team of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps/vigilante members in Baure village, Safana LGA of Katsina State on January 7, killing 21 members of this local security team. The terrorists had earlier on January 6 attacked innocent residents of Wurma, in Kurfi LGA of Katsina State, killing two Community Watch Corps members and two women. Houses and shops were also set on fire in this community.
Katsina State is clearly in a mess. Today, I’m challenging the Army Chief, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede to swiftly secure freedom for General Tsiga and others abducted in Tsiga Village. Oluyede must raise his game.
I’m also challenging President Tinubu to force security chiefs to raise their games. Mr. President must actualize his promise to tackle deteriorating insecurity inherited from the Buhari government. Tinubu on assumption of office said security shall top the priority of his administration “because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence.” Honestly, I have not seen any progress in this direction in Tinubu’s 21 months as President.
Mr. President has to provide a leadership that will swiftly end the slaughtering (daily) of innocent Nigerians across our cities, towns and villages. Tinubu has to practically show that he loves Nigerians by ending insecurity in this country. For me, a people-oriented government will seek help from anywhere to protect the people against terrorists. So, Tinubu should seek help from healthy climes. Enough of endless terrorism in Nigeria. Enough of grandstanding by Mr. President.
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