Following the abduction of former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga, from his hometown, Wednesday night by suspected bandits, fear has gripped the community causing many to desert the town.
Fear-stricken members of the communities in the area were said to have been terrified with General Tsiga’s abduction that they have deserted their homes
A credible source from the community who spoke on condition of anonymity disclosed that between Thursday and Friday, over 400 residents have deserted the area. The source said, “between yesterday and today (i.e. between Thursday and Friday), 400 people have already deserted the town. General Tsiga is a big man in the town whom we all look up to. And if a general we all look up to could be abducted like that, how much more ordinary people. So, the people are terrified and that’s why they are fleeing the community”.
One of the locals who left the community also said, “the reason we have been able to live in this community despite the banditry is because of General Tsiga and now he has been kidnapped. So, who are we to stay back? Whoever chooses to say back, does that at his or her own peril”.
On Wednesday night around 10:30 p.m, the bandits stormed Tsiga town in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina state and abducted an unspecified number of people including General Tsiga who served as NYSC Director General from January 2009 to September 2011. The bandits, who were armed with dangerous weapons were said to have attacked the town around 12 a.m and started shooting sporadically before they forcefully gained entrance into General Tsiga’s residence.
According to a source from the area, the bandits arrived in large numbers riding on motorcycles. The source said seven persons were abducted from within Tsiga town and two others from surrounding rural areas. According to a report, two residents of the community were killed while three others were injured during the invasion.
Confirming the report, spokesperson of Katsina State Police Command, DSP Abubakar Sadiq said the ex-Director General of the National Youth Service Corps was abducted in Tsiga, alongside five others. He noted that “efforts are being intensified in collaboration with sister security agencies and all relevant stakeholders to ensure they are rescued unhurt”.
Meanwhile, reactions have trailed the abduction of the former NYSC Director General.
The Secretary of the Katsina State Elders Forum, Alhaji Aliyu Sani Mohammed has expressed deep concern on the abduction of the retired General. He said, “It’s very unfortunate. Katsina state governor, Malam Dikko Radda is so concerned about insecurity which is why he floated the community security outfit and he is doing all he can to see an end to this insurgency But despite all his efforts and commitment, terrorists are still attacking and kidnapping people. Tsiga is a very nice gentleman who decided to stay with his people in order to render assistance to the needy. Unfortunately, these wicked people targeted him. Come to think of it, how many people of his calibre have gone to their villages to stay with them. Honestly, this is very sad. I am sure the government is on top of the situation and very soon, he will regain his freedom”.
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