By Capital Watch Media
The National President of the Almushahid Initiative for Transparency and Accountability (AITA), Ambassador Aminu Majidadi, has expressed deep concern over the worsening spate of kidnapping across the country, particularly the trend of ransom payments that continue to drain the resources of citizens and undermine the national economy.
Ambassador Majidadi was reacting to the recent abduction and subsequent release of the former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga (rtd), after the payment of a staggering N180 million ransom was alleged to have been paid to suspected bandits.
The incident, which occurred on February 6, 2025, at the retired General’s residence in Tsiga, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, has once again highlighted the growing insecurity ravaging communities. General Tsiga was reportedly kidnapped alongside an undisclosed number of persons. The abductors initially demanded N250 million, but eventually released him following the negotiated ransom.
According to a family member, Suleiman Tsiga, the former NYSC DG is currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed location, and his health is stable. He was handed over to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
While welcoming the safe return of the retired military officer, Ambassador Majidadi lamented the unbearable toll the scourge of kidnapping has taken on the lives of citizens and the collective wealth of the nation. He stressed that the pressure placed on families and communities to raise outrageously high ransoms often leads to financial ruin and societal distress.
“The abduction and ransom economy thriving in Nigeria is a direct attack on our collective peace, security, and economic stability,” Majidadi said. “It is particularly disheartening that families and friends are now forced to pool together huge sums of money often to the tune of hundreds of millions to secure the release of loved ones. This is not only a tragedy for the victims but also a drain on the country’s commonwealth.”
He noted that this disturbing development further reflects the urgent need for authorities to intensify efforts toward finding a sustainable and lasting solution to the kidnapping menace, which continues to embolden criminal networks and erode public confidence in the state’s capacity to protect its citizens.
The AITA President urged security agencies to collaborate more strategically, deploy advanced intelligence mechanisms, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice without delay. He also called for the strengthening of community policing initiatives, investment in rural security infrastructure, and the establishment of a transparent national database of kidnap incidents and outcomes to enable data-driven policymaking.
“This crisis demands a holistic response from all levels of government, traditional institutions, civil society, and citizens. We must dismantle this criminal enterprise before it completely erodes the fabric of our nation,” he concluded.
