The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has refuted the claim that military generals contributed ransom to secure the release of Maharazu Tsiga, a former director-general (DG) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Recently, a retired brigadier-general was reported to have said that his colleagues contributed ransom to secure the release of Tsiga, a retired brigadier-general.
On February 5, suspected bandits abducted Tsiga at his residence and several residents in Bakori LGA of Katsina state.
He was released last Wednesday after spending 56 days in captivity.
Tsiga and 18 other kidnapped victims were handed over to Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA), by the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC).
In a statement on Monday, Tukur Gusau, the director of defence information, said the ransom claim “contradicted” the efforts made by troops of operation Fansan Yamma, who embarked on a search and rescue operation to secure Tsiga’s release.
Gusau said the troops’ operation at suspected bandits’ hideouts in Zamfara led to the release of the retired brigadier-general.
“The disparaging online report is therefore nothing but presumably an act of mischief which is calculated to undermine the dedicated efforts of the military to eradicate terrorists/bandits and other criminal elements from the north-west region,” the statement reads.
“It is noteworthy to add that the military operations comprising both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies facilitated the rescue of General Tsiga, as his life is invaluable, and anything that needed to be done to ensure he was safe was adopted in ensuring a successful search and rescue effort.
“Immediately, troops of 17 Brigade were alerted; they responded to the situation around 0300 hours the same day and, in a commendable show of professionalism, swiftly went on pursuit in conjunction with the air component of operation Fansan Yamma.
“These combined efforts led to troops combing the assailants/bandits hideouts within Jeka, Areda, and Zango, all in the Kankara local government area, in search of the former DG.
“The operation extended to Ruwan Lafiya, Mununu, Matallawa, and Bakkai in Faskari Local Government Area.
“Although no direct contact was made with the abductors, the troops successfully pressured the criminals, who abandoned rustled animals and some captives in their hasty retreat.”
He added that subsequent air operations at Dunya Hill, where Tsiga was being held, disrupted the activities of the terrorists, leading to the escape of several captives.