Bandits Kidnap Former NYSC DG, Others in Katsina

Image: Starnews NG

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted Major General Mahrazu Tsiga (retired), a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), along with several other residents of Tsiga village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, has raised concerns about the worsening security situation in the region.

According to a local resident who spoke to Channels Television, the armed assailants, equipped with sophisticated weapons, stormed the residence of the retired military officer and forcefully took him and others away. The attack has left the community in shock, as Tsiga is a respected figure who served the nation in various capacities, including his tenure as NYSC DG.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that the bandits operated unchallenged during the raid, highlighting the vulnerability of rural communities to such attacks. Despite the gravity of the situation, neither the Katsina State Government nor the police have issued an official statement regarding the abduction. This silence has sparked frustration among residents, who are calling for urgent action to address the escalating insecurity in the area.

Katsina State, like many parts of northern Nigeria, has been plagued by banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality in recent years. Bandits often target villages, abducting residents for ransom and causing widespread fear and displacement. The abduction of a high-profile individual like Major General Tsiga underscores the audacity of these criminals and the need for a more robust response from security agencies.

The incident has also reignited debates about the effectiveness of current security measures in the region. Many believe that without a coordinated effort involving the federal and state governments, as well as local communities, the cycle of violence and abduction will persist.

As the search for the abducted individuals continues, residents of Tsiga village and surrounding areas remain on edge, hoping for their safe return. The abduction of Major General Tsiga serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the security challenges facing Katsina State and the nation at large.

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