Abduction of ex-NYSC DG, General Tsiga: Fear grips Katsina residents, many flee

Panic has engulfed Tsiga town in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State following the abduction of former NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga, by suspected bandits on Wednesday night.

The attack has forced hundreds of residents to flee the town, fearing further violence.

Mass Exodus as Fear Spreads

Local sources report that between Thursday and Friday, over 400 residents have deserted their homes. A resident, speaking anonymously, expressed the community’s fear:

“General Tsiga is a respected figure in this town. If someone like him can be kidnapped, what about ordinary people? That is why people are running for their lives.”

Another fleeing local added:

“We stayed here despite the bandit attacks because of General Tsiga. Now that he has been taken, staying back is too risky.”

How the Attack Happened

The bandits, riding on motorcycles, stormed the town at about 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, heavily armed and shooting sporadically. They forcibly entered General Tsiga’s residence and abducted him along with at least six others. Reports indicate that two residents were killed, and three others sustained injuries during the invasion.

Confirming the incident, the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, assured that security agencies were working to rescue the victims unharmed.

Outrage and Reactions

The abduction has sparked widespread condemnation, with notable figures calling for urgent security measures.

Katsina Elders Forum:

The Secretary of the Katsina State Elders Forum, Alhaji Aliyu Sani Mohammed, lamented the continued insecurity despite efforts by Governor Dikko Radda, who recently launched a community security outfit.

“Despite all his efforts, terrorists are still attacking and kidnapping people. General Tsiga is a kind-hearted man who chose to stay with his people. It is disheartening that criminals are now targeting such individuals.”

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs):

The Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Katsina, Mr. AbdulRahman Abdullahi, criticized the federal government for failing to address the security crisis.

> “The federal government controls the military and police, yet it has failed to act decisively. This crisis can be ended in weeks if the government is serious.”

He further accused security agencies of ignoring intelligence reports on impending attacks, saying:

“Communities have been tracking bandits’ movements and reporting them to authorities, but there is little to no response.”

Security Experts Call for Community Policing

Former Special Adviser on Security to the Katsina State Government, Mallam Ibrahim Ahmed-Katsina, emphasized the need for community involvement in security matters.

“The government alone cannot do it. Communities must be involved. We need community policing, not just reliance on external forces.”

He urged the state-backed community watch groups to be more active, stressing that relying solely on military and police forces would not solve the problem.

Conclusion

As the search for General Tsiga and other abductees continues, the attack highlights the worsening insecurity in Katsina State. Residents are calling on the government to take proactive steps before more communities are displaced. For now, fear and uncertainty grip Tsiga town, with many wondering who might be the next target.