By Atoyebi Nike
Major General Anthony Magnawa Atolagbe (Rtd.), former Field Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Safe Haven, has urged Nigerians to understand that rescue operations do not always result in arrests or neutralization of kidnappers. He said these missions are complex and focus primarily on saving lives.
Speaking after the release of 24 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, Atolagbe explained that concerns over abductors walking free reflect a misunderstanding of operational realities. “It’s not in every case that you will have neutralized abductors. A lot happens when you interact with people of this nature,” he said.
He emphasized that rescue missions differ from combat operations, citing a 2002 Russian hostage crisis where tactical decisions led to civilian casualties. Kidnappers often embed themselves among hostages, limiting options for troops. “You want to get the children out safe. When these people are inserted between the children, what do you do?” he asked, noting such decisions rest with field commanders.
Atolagbe also commented on recent abductions in Kwara State, describing attacks as opportunistic due to Nigeria’s lack of technology to monitor all vulnerable areas. He welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to redeploy police from VIP duties, freeing nearly 100,000 officers for broader security deployment.
He highlighted plans for a 24-hour security cordon in Kwara and Niger forests with enhanced Air Force surveillance and the potential impact of international intelligence support. “If America provides information on bandit locations, it will be like walking straight in on them,” he said, stressing the importance of intelligence-driven operations.
