Retired NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, has Opened up on his captivity Experience, lamenting that he passed through hell and only survived by the grace of God.

In a moving confession, Tsiga finally opened up about his ordeal in his recent kidnap. In an unusual interview, Tsiga explained what had happened to him, stating, “I saw hell,” and detailing the terrible conditions he had been subjected to during captivity.

General Tsiga was abducted by suspected kidnappers while he was on transit in the northern region of Nigeria. His abduction had caused widespread panic across the country, particularly among his fellow staff, former collaborators, and people who had enormous respect for his attempts to serve the nation.

For several weeks, Tsiga was kept in detention by his captors, his whereabouts and conditions of detention hidden from view. During this period, his relatives, friends, and supporters waited anxiously for his release, expecting him to be brought home safely.

It wasn’t until he was released that Tsiga finally described the experience, relating about the enormity of the psychological and physical toll the ordeal took on him.

In his first public appearance since the ordeal, he related the “hellish” conditions under which he was held in captivity. From inadequate food and water to being put through the worst of emotional distress, Tsiga’s account revealed a dismal picture of the treatment he received at the hands of his captors.

“I thought that I was going to die,” Tsiga admitted, his words trembling as he described moments in which he became desperate. “I was dreaming a nightmare, it seemed, one that was never going to end. But I clung to my faith, and with the will of God, here I stand today.”

His testimony is a dire reminder of the dangers to which many are subjected during the struggle against kidnapping and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in the northern states, where the kidnappings have been on rampage.

When he was finally let go, General Tsiga went back to his family, and whereas the physical abuse of his ordeal may heal in a matter of weeks, the psychological impact is likely to last much longer. In spite of this, he was thankful for the assistance he received from his family and other Nigerians during the traumatic ordeal.

The government has not made any further statement on the terms of his release or any progress in tracking down his abductors. General Tsiga’s bravery and resilience, however, have left many individuals with an indelible impression, as many Nigerians praise him for his show of strength in having endured such a horrific ordeal.

“I am alive thanks to the prayers and good intentions of millions of Nigerians,” Tsiga exclaimed, fighting tears. “It is this solidarity that kept me going. I am eternally grateful.”

While the country continues to grapple with the issue of abductions and the broader security challenges, Tsiga’s experience underscores the need for increased action to combat these threats and keep all citizens safe.