Metro

‘Bandits Fed Us Once A Week, Used Us As Shield Against Airstrikes’, Ex-NYSC DG Recounts Ordeal In Captivity

Published

1 year ago

April 3, 2025

The former director-general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Maharazu Isma’ila Tsiga (retd.), has recounted his ordeal in bandits’ captivity.

LEADERSHIP reported that Tsiga was kidnapped on February 5, 2025, in his hometown of Tsiga, in Bakori local government area of Katsina State, alongside nine other residents.

He was released by his abductors on Tuesday evening after 56 days in captivity somewhere in Zamfara State.

On Thursday evening, Tsiga was, alongside other kidnap victims, reunited with his family members by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, at a brief event in Abuja.

At the occasion, an elated Brig.-Gen. Tsiga (rtd) called on Nigerians to always support security operatives with timely information to tackle insecurity.

He said they were fed once a week by their abductors and that they were beaten and always being used as human shield when military aircraft hovered above the bandits’ location.

He added that they were made to share the same space in the mountains with snakes and other dangerous wild animals.

He was rescued two days ago by security operatives, though unconfirmed reports indicated that ransom was paid for his release.

READ ALSO: Gunmen Kidnap Imo Catholic Priest

However, narrating his ordeals in captivity at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on Thursday in Abuja, Tsiga said: “I think if there is anything to be celebrated, it is this kind of situation that is most important to be celebrated. A day before I left there, that is the day before yesterday, on the mountain I was staying, unexpectedly, we just look around, what do we see? Hyena parading around us to get its own food. And which kind of food? We, the human beings. Those of us that experienced that place, we always stayed with snakes, scorpions.”

He continued: “And one bad experience, particularly for those of us who, they knew our rank, whenever they were being attacked, sincerely speaking, they bring us out, so that they can get us out so that the aircraft can hit us. But you know God is merciful. The good ones will continue to live. Wallahi, there is end to the bad ones.”

The retired senior Army officer narrated his close shave with death experience in the bandits’ camp, saying: “when a rocket was sent to us, it did not explode. My bad experience, I’m narrating. What happened? They carried that rocket to where I am sleeping. And they kept it there, hide it so that immediately I come and touch it, it will explode and that is why I told us, God is merciful.”

He said the bandits told him people in government, particularly those in uniform, had money that they stored in their houses.

“And that is why they tried to open my house. They cannot. They have to use explosives to open my house. Now we are being encouraged by calling us here, the NSA, the CDS, which when you call these two, you are talking about President Bola Tinubu.

“To encourage us to make sure that we have confidence, to make sure that we believe in ourselves. And to make sure that God is there for us always.

“Lastly, we should all know that security is a collective responsibility. We should not sit down and believe that the government can do it alone. We must do it ourselves,” he added.

He said the bandits have no fear of God, adding that the only thing the bandits are afraid of was the military aircraft.

“The National Security Adviser, sir, the people are really in fear. One thing I have to say here is that they don’t fear God, but they fear aircraft.They don’t fear God. They tell you, don’t call God for them, just give them money. But immediately they see aircraft, even their cows are running. Therefore, we should try as much as possible in as much as the government is doing the best it can, we should also try to contribute. The NSA is not a magician. The CDS is not a magician. You must bring the information to them, so that they will act on it,” Tsiga added.

Related Topics:#Kidnappers Bandits Kidnap

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Metro

Violence Rocks APC Reps Primary In Ekiti Ward, Exercise Declared Inconclusive

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted at the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary for Ward 10, Fajuyi Pavilion, Ado Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Saturday.

Electoral officials halted the process and declared it inconclusive after violence broke out among party supporters.

The primary pitted Olushola Fatoba against Tope Ogunleye, widely known as RST. Loyalists and agents of both aspirants had converged on Fajuyi Pavilion before voting was scheduled to begin.

According to eyewitnesses, tensions rose when suspected thugs allegedly backing Fatoba stormed the venue wielding canes and firearms. Their arrival appeared aimed at intimidating Ogunleye’s supporters and suppressing turnout.

Despite the hostile atmosphere, Ogunleye’s backers held their ground, chanting solidarity songs in support of their candidate. Voting eventually started under heavy tension.

Observers at the scene said Ogunleye seemed to have the larger share of support among members present, with his base visibly outnumbering the opposition.

Violence broke out after Fatoba’s camp allegedly sensed an imminent loss. Clashes between both groups forced an abrupt end to voting.

During the unrest, Ogunleye’s agent, Mr. Sunday, was assaulted. Another member, Mr. Femi Ogunleye, was reportedly beaten and his Tecno Spark 9 phone seized. A female supporter, Mrs. Oluwaseun Osamuwa, was also attacked and her Apple Smart Wrist Watch stolen. Both Mr. Femi Ogunleye and Mrs. Osamuwa sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital.

As of press time, no winner had emerged and the Ward 10 primary remained inconclusive.

The violence has renewed concerns over thuggery and intimidation in internal party elections. Party members and political observers say the incident raises serious questions about voters’ ability to freely choose candidates without fear.

Stakeholders are calling on security agencies and electoral authorities to probe the disruption, ensure justice for those attacked, and safeguard the credibility of future primaries.

Metro

My Wife Destroyed My Property, Instigated Our Children To Beat Me, Man Tells Court

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

The Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has delivered judgment in a divorce suit filed by a man, Theophilus, against his wife, Aina, whom she accused of lack of affection, frequent quarrels, and domestic violence.

According to Theophilus, Aina was stubborn and always insisted on having things her own way.

He further said that she was disobedient and refused to listen to him.

The plaintiff also told the court that the defendant was hostile towards their friends and neighbours, which often led to conflicts between them.

He further claimed that Aina was violent and would attack him with any object within her reach during disagreements.

In addition, he accused her of destroying his property whenever they had differences.

Theophilus also explained that Aina turned their children against him.

He stated that they assaulted him and damaged his belongings.

He told the court that he eventually left their home because he feared for his safety and believed that the defendant intended to harm him.

The plaintiff therefore appealed to the court to dissolve their marriage and also requested an order restraining Aina from threatening him or interfering with his privacy.

Aina was absent from court despite being served court summons.

Theophilus, while giving his testimony before the court, stated, “I have not enjoyed peace or rest of mind since I married my wife.

“I paid her bride price to her family, but they rejected it.

“My wife is far from being a virtuous woman.

“She was never submissive and was always full of herself.

“She had no respect for me and disobeyed my instructions whenever she wished.

“She neither listened to me nor accepted my advice.

“My wife was also violent.

“During disagreements, she attacked me with any dangerous object she could lay her hands on.

“On three different occasions, Aina destroyed my property.

“Our neighbours and friends were not exempt from her hostility.

“She was constantly at loggerheads with them and fought with them on several occasions.

“My wife also turned our children against me.

“They beat me mercilessly and nearly killed me.

“They also destroyed my belongings.

“I left the house after the incident because it became obvious that my wife wanted me dead.

“I came to court to seek the dissolution of our marriage because my wife’s presence in my life has brought me nothing but pain and suffering.

“I sincerely appeal to the court to dissolve our marriage.

“I also request an order restraining her from threatening me or interfering with my privacy.”

The Court President, Mrs. O. E. Owoseni, while delivering judgment, stated that there was no valid marriage to dissolve because no marital rites were performed, and no bride price was paid.

Owoseni also issued an order restraining the defendant from threatening or interfering with the plaintiff’s private life

Metro

‘I Have Nowhere To Go, He Married Me At 14yrs Old, Now He Wants Divorce 30yrs After’

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

A 44-year-old woman, Zainab Isah, has told a Shari’a Court 1 sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna, Kaduna State, that she had nowhere to go after her divorce from her husband, Alhaji Abdulhamid.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Zainab told the court that Abdulhamid married her when she was 14 years old.

“I have been married to him for 30 years now and our union is blessed with 10 children,” she stated.

She further said that her husband divorced her on January 1.

“I am yet to complete my waiting period (Iddah), as required under Islam.

“I lived in peace with my co-wives but I can’t leave my children for them; three of my children are sick,” she said.

Earlier , Abdulrashid Musa, counsel to Abdulhamid, prayed the court to compel Zainab to leave his house since they were no longer married.

He said he had issued two pronouncement of divorce to the defendant.

The first, he said was pronounced on December 29, 2025, adding that she had finished her Iddah.

He stated that all efforts made by him to ensure she leaves his house, failed.

He alleged that she was causing trouble for his other wives.

The complainant however, told the court that he was ready to pay for his ex wife’s rent when she gets a new place to live with her children.

The judge, Malam Mu’awiya Shehu said the rights of a woman for shelter, feeding and other provisions by the husband ends when divorce occur adding that only the children have the right to be taken care of .

He adjourned the matter to June 1 for the defendant to find a new place she can relocate to with her children.