Former Field Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major General Anthony Magnawa Atolagbe (Rtd.), has urged Nigerians to appreciate the complexities of rescue operations, noting that the primary objective is saving lives—not necessarily apprehending kidnappers.
His remarks follow public concerns over the release of 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, with no arrests announced.
Atolagbe explained that expectations of neutralising abductors in every mission overlook the realities of field operations. “It is not in every case that you will have neutralised abductors. What plays out on the field is not paperwork,” he said, adding that rescue missions are fundamentally different from full-scale combat engagements.
He recalled a 2002 incident in Russia where an attempt to free over 900 hostages resulted in significant civilian casualties, noting that such examples illustrate the delicate balance required in rescue efforts. “It is not in every case that negotiations happen or that money is involved,” he added.
According to him, kidnappers often embed themselves among hostages, limiting tactical 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. In such situations, perpetrators may negotiate their withdrawal in exchange for the safe release of victims. “Would you insist on capturing them, or leave them for a later date since you already know where they operate?” he said, stressing that field commanders make the final call.
Addressing recent security incidents, Atolagbe noted that attacks can occur anywhere due to Nigeria’s limited surveillance technology. His comments come as noblequestdaily reported another wave of abductions in Kwara State, where at least 11 residents of Isapa in Ekiti Local Government Area were kidnapped on Monday—just days after 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku were freed.
“The protection environment is very fluid. You can’t predict where it will happen next. We don’t have the technology to cover the entire space,” he said.
He also expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police personnel from VIP protection, a move he said could release close to 100,000 officers for broader security duties.
Speaking on the latest Kwara incident, Atolagbe described the affected road as one of the slowest in the region. He said the abduction was opportunistic: “Vigilantes confronted them and sent them away, but as they escaped, they ran into some vehicles and took the passengers.”
On broader security efforts, he supported plans for a 24-hour security cordon in forests across Kwara and Niger States, backed by enhanced Air Force reconnaissance. “The Air Force has aircraft that can capture pictures on the ground and relay them to the operations room. The same goes for drones,” he said.
Atolagbe also highlighted the potential impact of international intelligence partnerships. “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,” he said.
