The former Director-General of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Maharazu Tsiga Rtd has recounted his 56 days experience in captivity of kidnappers saying he was able to come out alive by the help and mercies of God.

Tsiga was abducted from his hometown Tsiga, in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State on Feb. 5, alongside nine other residents.

However, the former NYSC boss and and 18 other victims were reunited with their families by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in Abuja on Thursday following their rescue.

Speaking at the event, Tsiga that his safe return was worthy of celebration

He said that apart from the danger being faced from their abductors, they were also faced with danger of being hurt by wild animals on the mountain that they were kept.

“The day before yesterday, on the mountain I was staying, unexpectedly, we just look around, we saw hyena parading around us to get its own food. And which kind of food? We, the human beings.

“Those of us that experienced that place, we always stay with snakes, scorpions.

“And one bad experience, particularly for those of us who, they knew our rank, whenever they are being attacked, sincerely speaking, they bring us out, so that the aircraft can hit us.

“But you know God is merciful.

“When a rocket was sent to us, it did not explode. They carried that rocket and kept it where I am sleeping so that immediately I come and touch it, it will explode.

“And that is why I told us, God is merciful,” he said.

The former NYSC DG also revealed that the nature of food they were being fed with was another threat to his health.

According to him, the terrorists said that those of them that were in uniform, government is always putting money for them to keep.

The retired army general also revealed that the terrorists only feared military aircraft, adding that they did not even fear God but military aircraft.

Tsiga called on all Nigerians to join hands to fight and defeat insecurity in the country, saying that security should be seen as a collective responsibility.

“We should not sit down and believe that the government can do it alone. We must do it ourselves.

“So we thank Almighty God for giving us this opportunity to live again,” he said.

The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, on Thursday said the closure of Independence Bridge in Lagos for urgent rehabilitation of the collapsed retaining wall was made without his knowledge or authorisation.

Umahi said this while apologising to Lagos residents and President Bola Tinubu for the disruption caused by the sudden closure of the bridge on Wednesday.

Umahi who spoke when he toured the bridge in Lagos said: ” Unfortunately, when the bridge was to be closed, I was not informed. It is very unfortunate because for a bridge to be closed, especially in Lagos, as has been the tradition, I should be informed as the minister.

“We should also have studied the implication of it even in an emergency situation. We would have deployed emergency evaluation of the implication of closing the bridge.”

Umahi warned that controllers of works and engineers would face disciplinary action if such an incident would happen again.

“I use the opportunity to warn all controllers and engineers all over the country. Never you close a road or close any bridge without running through the permanent secretary, who will seek for permission from the honourable minister of works,” he said.

The minister acknowledged the efforts of Lagos State Government in managing traffic flow during the closure.

He also took responsibility for the error, saying: “I take responsibility for it, even though I did not order it, but every action by any staff of the ministry of works, I take responsibility for it.”

Umahi said that the closure, which caused significant traffic congestion, was avoidable.

He said: “If we were to do this properly, there would have been a different kind of method deployed and it wouldn’t have necessitated the total closure.”

According to him, even if closure was necessary, it would have been done in a way that it would take three days: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and necessary remedial work would have been put in place.

“What we are doing now is to restore the bridge temporarily within the next three days. By Sunday, this place will be totally open.”

He added that a permanent solution would be implemented after a two-week assessment.

“Then, after two weeks, we will look at the settlements, and then we will take out three days to put the permanent structure. That is what we are going to do,” he said.

The minister emphasised the competence of the contractor handling the project, Build Well.

“Build Well is a reputable company, and they have been restoring a lot of failures on our bridges in Lagos, some of them 53 years old.

“Some bridges’ spans have been lifted, especially Eko Bridge, Marina Bridge, and even the Lagos-Ibadan Bridge. They are also intervening in all of them,” he added.

The minister also said that the design of the bridge would be varied to address the emergency situation.

He said: ” The design will be varied according to the emergency situation we have on ground, and the contractor is going to cooperate with us.”

He pledged to personally oversee the restoration efforts, saying, “I am not going until the bridge is fully restored by Sunday, we will work day and night to restore it, and then we will evaluate it.”

The bridge was initially closed on April 1 for essential maintenance and rehabilitation works, with the government planning to complete the repairs by May.

Sterling Bank has taken a groundbreaking step to ease the financial burden on Nigerians by eliminating transfer fees and other charges for local online transactions.

This move is a significant stride towards financial inclusion and customer-centric banking, particularly during a time when economic pressures are high.

Ekwutosblog gathered that this initiative has been commended by Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, Chairman of the House Committee on Banking Regulations, who praised Sterling Bank’s commitment to creating a more accessible and equitable banking system.

El-Rufai encouraged other financial institutions to follow Sterling Bank’s example, emphasizing that a competitive banking sector prioritizing Nigerians’ interests will strengthen the economy and rebuild public trust in financial services.

Sterling Bank’s decision to scrap transfer fees is expected to benefit individuals and small business owners who frequently make online transactions. The bank’s customers can now perform local transfers via the mobile app without incurring any charges. Obinna Ukachukwu, Growth Executive at Sterling Bank, stated that access to one’s own money shouldn’t come with a penalty, highlighting the bank’s values-driven approach to customer-centric banking.

This move has sparked widespread public approval, with many calling on other banks to adopt similar policies.

As policymakers, El-Rufai reiterated their commitment to fostering a regulatory environment that encourages pro-customer initiatives while ensuring sustainability within the banking sector.