Major General Anthony Magnawa Atolagbe (Rtd.), former Field Commander of the Joint Task Force (Operation Safe Haven), has called on Nigerians to appreciate that rescue operations do not always result in the capture or neutralisation of kidnappers. He emphasised that such missions are intricate and are primarily focused on saving lives.
Atolagbe made the remarks following public concerns over the release of 24 girls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State’s Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area. Some members of the public questioned why the operation did not lead to any arrests of the perpetrators.
Addressing the issue on Tuesday, the retired commander clarified that field realities often differ from public expectations. “It is not every time that abductors are neutralised. What happens in the field is far more complex than paperwork. There are many dynamics when you interact with criminals of this nature,” he said.
He explained that rescue missions are distinct from combat operations. “This is not a war against them; it is a mission to save lives,” Atolagbe said. Citing an international precedent, he referenced a 2002 Russian operation to rescue 918 hostages in a cinema, where many civilians tragically lost their lives due to tactical choices. “Not every negotiation or payment will be possible,” he noted.
The retired commander highlighted the challenges posed by kidnappers positioning themselves among hostages. “The main objective is to get the children out alive. When abductors are mixed among them, what can troops do? They may offer, ‘Let us pull back, and then you can take your children.’ Do you insist on capturing them immediately, or leave them for later since their locations are known?” he asked. Atolagbe stressed that such critical decisions are made by the field commanders on the ground, who have the best perspective at the moment.
Commenting on the recent wave of abductions in Kwara State, PUNCH Online reported that barely a week after 38 worshippers were abducted and released from the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, another incident occurred in Isapa, Ekiti Local Government Area, where at least 11 residents were kidnapped on Monday evening.
Atolagbe explained that attacks can occur anywhere because Nigeria currently lacks comprehensive technology to monitor all vulnerable regions. “The protection environment is very fluid. You cannot predict precisely where an incident will occur tomorrow. We don’t have the technology to cover every area,” he said.
He welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to reduce police involvement in VIP protection, noting that it would free approximately 100,000 personnel for broader deployment to protect communities.
Describing the road where the latest Kwara abduction occurred, Atolagbe said, “I passed that road recently; it is one of the slowest stretches. Even with caution, you may encounter these criminals. The latest abduction was opportunistic. Vigilantes confronted the bandits, who escaped and intercepted vehicles, taking passengers.”
Atolagbe also praised the President’s plan to establish a 24-hour security cordon in Kwara and Niger forests and to enhance Air Force surveillance. “The Air Force has aircraft capable of capturing real-time images on the ground and relaying them directly to operations centers. Drones can also be deployed to cover critical areas,” he explained.
He further suggested that international intelligence support could be a game-changer for Nigeria’s security. “Support from countries like the United States, which have detailed intelligence on bandit locations, could allow security forces to operate with far greater precision,” he added.
Atolagbe’s remarks underscore the complexity of rescue operations and the delicate balance between neutralising criminals and ensuring the safety of hostages.
