Former Field Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Safe Haven, Major General Anthony Magnawa Atolagbe (Rtd.), has urged Nigerians to understand that not every rescue operation will result in the arrest or neutralisation of kidnappers, emphasising that such missions are complex and prioritise saving lives.
As reported by ARISE News on Tuesday, Atolagbe said concerns over abducted schoolchildren being released without any arrests reflect a misunderstanding of field realities.
“It is not in every case that you will have neutralised abductors. What plays out on the field is not paperwork. A lot happens when you interact with people of this nature.”
He explained that rescue operations are fundamentally different from combat missions.
“It’s not as if we are fighting a war against these guys; we are going on a rescue mission,” Atolagbe said.
Citing an international example, he recalled a 2002 operation in Russia where special forces attempted to rescue 918 hostages in a cinema.
“At the end of the day, many civilians died because of the tactics used. So it is not in every case that negotiations happen or that money is involved,” he noted.
The retired commander highlighted that kidnappers often position themselves among hostages, limiting troops’ options.
“You want to get the children out safe and alive. When you meet these people inserted between the children, what do you do?” he asked. “They may tell you: ‘Allow us to pull out and then you can take your children.’ Would you insist on capturing them, or leave them for a later date since you already know where they operate?”
Atolagbe stressed that such decisions rest with field commanders.
“The commander on the ground has the best initiative at that moment to decide what to do and what not to do,” he said.
Commenting on recent abductions in Kwara State, PUNCH Online reports that barely a week after 38 worshippers of the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Eruku, were abducted and later released, another wave of terror has hit Kwara State, as at least 11 residents were reportedly kidnapped on Monday evening in Isapa, a neighbouring community in Ekiti Local Government Area.
Atolagbe said attacks can occur anywhere because Nigeria currently lacks the technology to monitor all vulnerable areas.
“The conflict environment — what we call the protection environment — is very fluid. You can’t say it will happen here today or not happen there tomorrow. We don’t have the technology to cover the entire space.”
He welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police personnel from VIP protection duties, noting that the move would free close to 100,000 personnel for broader deployment.
Describing the area where the Kwara incident occurred, Atolagbe said, “I passed that road recently; it is one of the slowest roads around. Even if you are driving by the grace of God, you may run into these people.” He added that the latest abduction was largely opportunistic. “Vigilantes confronted them and sent them away, but as they escaped, they ran into some vehicles and took the passengers. It was an opportunity-type capture,” he said.
Atolagbe expressed support for the President’s plan to implement a 24-hour security cordon in Kwara and Niger forests, alongside enhanced Air Force surveillance.
“The Air Force has aircraft that can capture pictures on the ground and relay them straight to the operations room. The same goes for drones — depending on the number you deploy,” he said.
He also noted that international intelligence support could significantly improve Nigeria’s security response.
“What I also see as a likely game-changer is America coming to our support. They have adequate information on the entire space covering the locations of these bandits. If they provide this information, it will be like walking straight in on them,” Atolagbe said.
