Former Field Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major General Anthony Magnawa Atolagbe (Rtd.), has urged Nigerians to understand that rescue operations do not always end with the arrest or neutralisation of kidnappers. He explained that real-life rescue missions are complex and must put the safety of victims first.
Atolagbe made the remarks while reacting to questions surrounding the release of 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State.
Speaking during an interview on Tuesday, he said many Nigerians misunderstand the dynamics of field operations.
“It is not in every case that abductors will be neutralised,” he explained. “What happens on the ground is different from paperwork. You deal with unpredictable people in hostile environments.”
Rescue vs Combat
The retired commander stressed that a rescue mission is not the same as a military assault.
“It’s not a war operation,” he said. “The goal is to extract victims alive, not to engage the kidnappers head-on.”
He referenced a 2002 incident in Russia where an attempt to rescue over 900 hostages led to many civilian deaths due to the tactics used — illustrating how delicate such operations can be.
Why Arrests Don’t Always Happen
Atolagbe revealed that kidnappers often place themselves among the hostages, limiting military options.
“You want the children to come out alive. If the kidnappers are mixed with them, what exactly can you do?” he asked. “Sometimes they say, ‘Let us go, then take your children.’ Would you risk the children’s lives just to make an arrest at that moment?”
He said such decisions are left to the best judgment of field commanders.
On Recent Kwara Abductions
Commenting on the latest kidnappings in Kwara State, Atolagbe noted that insecurity can strike anywhere because Nigeria lacks the technology to monitor all vulnerable roads and forests.
“The protection environment is fluid,” he said. “You can’t predict where the next attack will occur.”
He described the road where the incident happened as slow and unsafe, making travellers easy targets. According to him, vigilantes tried to repel the attackers, but as the criminals fled, they kidnapped passengers from oncoming vehicles — “an opportunistic capture,” he said.
Read Also;
DHQ Vows Swift Action After Kebbi and Niger School Abductions
Boosting Security
Atolagbe welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive withdrawing police officers from VIP protection, saying it could free up nearly 100,000 personnel for nationwide deployment.
He also supported plans to establish a 24-hour security ring around forests in Kwara and Niger States, backed by Air Force surveillance.
“The Air Force has aircraft and drones that can send live images straight to operations rooms,” he said.
He added that international intelligence cooperation — especially from the United States — could be a major game-changer.
“They know the terrain and the hideouts of these bandits. If they share that information, security forces can strike directly,” he said.
