A NOTE OF APPRECIATION
Date: 4th April 2025
I, Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi (Rtd.), on behalf of Brigadier General MI Tsiga (Rtd.), his family, friends, and associates, wish to express our profound gratitude and sincere appreciation to you all for your wonderful and unexpected contributions during our struggle to secure the release of General MI Tsiga. He was violently abducted from his residence in Tsiga Town, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, on the 5th of February 2025.
Upon learning of General MI Tsiga’s kidnapping, Major General LB Bunza (Rtd.) and I immediately began exchanging ideas to facilitate his release.
On the 9th of February 2025, we established a WhatsApp platform simply named “TSIGA.” The primary aim of this platform was to inform the general public about the unfolding situation surrounding the abduction of General MI Tsiga. As days progressed, and when the bandits demanded a ransom of 400,000,000 Naira for General MI Tsiga’s release, we decided to utilize the “TSIGA” platform to solicit donations.
The response was truly overwhelming. Our “TSIGA” platform grew to include over 300 members, comprising retired and serving military officers, civilians from all segments of society, university lecturers, ambassadors, and business professionals.
To ensure proper accountability, General Bunza and I decided that all contributions should be directly deposited into General Tsiga’s bank account. Consequently, I requested Kamal (General Tsiga’s son) to provide his father’s bank details. He promptly sent General Tsiga’s Unity Bank account information, which I then shared on the “TSIGA” platform, urging members to donate and assist General Tsiga’s family in meeting the bandits’ demands.
As I previously mentioned, the response was remarkable. Donations poured in abundantly, like “August Rains.”
Initially, I began providing updates on the received amounts. However, some members wisely advised that such updates could pose a security risk, and I therefore discontinued posting daily contribution totals.
From the 22nd of February 2025, when donations commenced, until the 15th of March 2025, the total amount received clearly demonstrated that, indeed, “TOGETHER WE CAN” achieve great things.
Therefore, on behalf of General MI Tsiga, his family, friends, colleagues, and associates, I extend our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your brotherly and sisterly expressions of concern and for your contributions – financial, moral, and even spiritual – in our collective efforts to ensure General MI Tsiga’s safe return.
Today, the 4th of April 2025, marks the conclusion of my humble task: keeping the general public informed about General MI Tsiga’s ordeal. As I write this brief statement, I feel a profound sense of fulfillment, as our collective efforts have ultimately yielded a very positive outcome – the RELEASE of General MI Tsiga.
Thank you, and farewell.
Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi (Rtd.)
4th April 2025.
