Military Critique: Former JTF Commander Insists Rescue Missions Must Prioritize Victims’ Lives Over Capturing Kidnappers

Major General Anthony Magnawa Atolagbe (Rtd.), former Field Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Safe Haven, continues to call the attention of Nigerians to the real nature of rescue operations. He believes many people hold the wrong expectations about how rescue missions unfold, especially when kidnappers release victims without arrests.

He wants Nigerians to understand that rescue operations hardly follow the neat, predictable patterns that many imagine. He insists that kidnappers rarely behave in ways that allow security forces to apply textbook solutions. He stressed that the first priority in any rescue mission is always the lives of the captives, and every other objective—including arresting abductors—depends on the reality on the field at that moment.

He spoke after many Nigerians demanded explanations following the release of 24 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. Many people wondered why no kidnapper appeared in handcuffs and why no major confrontation occurred during the rescue. Some even accused security agencies of negotiating or paying ransom. Atolagbe stepped forward to address these concerns because he believes misinterpretations can damage public trust and create unrealistic pressure on security personnel who risk their lives daily.

He said that those who complain often base their expectations on assumptions that ignore the unpredictable nature of rescue operations. He pointed out that real-life rescue missions differ from movies or formal war engagements. He described how people unfamiliar with field encounters imagine a military convoy storming a camp, subduing kidnappers, and walking out with victims. According to him, such imaginations collapse quickly when an officer encounters armed abductors hiding among frightened children. He explained that nothing about such encounters feels straightforward or idealistic.

He said something important that sets the tone for the entire issue: “I want Nigerians to understand that not every rescue mission ends with neutralising abductors. When you reach these criminals, you face a dynamic situation. You interact with them, and you realise quickly that paperwork cannot prepare anyone for that moment.”

He explained that rescue missions differ sharply from combat operations. A combat mission aims to overpower an enemy, but a rescue mission aims to extract hostages alive. A soldier cannot open fire freely when kidnappers position themselves shoulder-to-shoulder with children. He stressed that the difference between the two kinds of missions drastically changes the rules, options, timing, and strategy.

To reinforce his point, he drew from history. He mentioned the tragic rescue attempt in Russia in 2002, at a Moscow theatre, where armed men held 918 people hostage. Special forces stormed the building in an attempt to save them. The rescue operation ended with the deaths of many civilians because of the tactics deployed. According to him, that singular event shows the world that even advanced forces face deep complications during hostage rescues. He said that people who demand arrests during rescues should study such events, so they can appreciate the delicate balance between force and caution.

He emphasised that negotiations sometimes work, while at other times they fail. Money sometimes enters the conversation, while in some cases, kidnappers insist on leaving without any incentives. He said every rescue unfolds differently, because every set of kidnappers behaves differently. He said that no security officer wants to lose a child during a rescue mission simply because the public demands arrests. When kidnappers insert themselves physically among victims, soldiers face a difficult choice: save the children or risk harming them while attempting to apprehend the criminals.

He explained that kidnappers often line themselves up among the hostages, almost like shields. He said that when an officer arrives and sees guns pressed against children’s backs, no responsible commander will attempt a direct shootout. Everything in that moment becomes a negotiation driven by the instinct to save lives. He provided an example: kidnappers may say, “Let us withdraw first, then you can take your children.” He asked Nigerians a very direct question: Should a commander insist on capturing kidnappers at that moment and risk the children’s safety, or should the commander prioritise the children and leave the criminals to be tracked later?

He believes any reasonable person will choose the children first. He also stressed that such decisions remain the responsibility of the commander on the field. That officer sees the terrain, the kidnappers’ positions, the children’s condition, the weapons available, and the escape routes. Only that officer can decide what makes sense in that moment. He repeated that no one sitting far away from the scene should assume they know a better choice.

He then turned his focus to the painful reality in many states, including recent incidents in Kwara. He noted the disturbing pattern of attacks and abductions. Barely a week after 38 worshippers from Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Eruku, suffered abduction and later regained freedom, another community in Kwara—Isapa, in Ekiti Local Government Area—saw at least 11 residents abducted in another night of fear and desperation. The cycle of violence continues to trouble residents and raise national concern.

He said that attacks like these can occur anywhere because Nigeria currently lacks the technological capability to monitor every vulnerable location. He described the conflict environment as fluid and unpredictable. Criminals exploit the gaps left by the country’s limited surveillance tools. He said that although Nigeria has made progress in strengthening its security architecture, the landmass of the country demands far more equipment, intelligence infrastructure, and rapid-response technology. Criminals understand these gaps and strike wherever they find openings.

Atolagbe reacted positively to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to withdraw police personnel from VIP protection duties. He believes the decision will free close to 100,000 officers who could return to core policing duties. He said that the redeployment will improve community presence, quick response to distress calls, and broader national coverage. He said that Nigeria faces too many threats for thousands of officers to follow individuals around as bodyguards. According to him, the country needs every available officer deployed in intelligent ways.

While describing the area in Kwara where the latest abduction occurred, he said he passed through the road recently. He described it as one of the slowest and most dangerous roads in the region. Drivers crawl along the road, giving criminals enough time to study vehicles and pick targets. He said that even careful drivers can run into kidnappers because the layout of the road almost invites such threats. He described the latest abduction as opportunistic. He said vigilantes confronted the criminals initially and forced them to retreat, but as the kidnappers fled, they ran into passing vehicles and seized passengers. He described the entire incident as an “opportunity-type capture,” meaning the criminals grabbed whoever they found because their original plan failed.

He supports the President’s plan for a 24-hour security cordon around forests in Kwara and Niger States. He also supports the plan for enhanced Air Force surveillance in these areas. He mentioned that the Nigerian Air Force has aircraft capable of capturing ground images and transmitting them in real time to operations rooms. He said drones offer similar capabilities depending on the number deployed and the areas covered. He believes that aerial surveillance will drastically reduce the ability of criminals to operate freely.

He also spoke about the potential impact of international intelligence support. He said that if the United States decides to provide deeper intelligence assistance, the results could transform Nigeria’s fight against kidnapping. He said that the U.S. already possesses detailed information about major hotspots, terrain routes, and the movements of criminal groups across northern Nigeria. He believes such support will allow Nigerian forces to move with greater accuracy and reduce the guesswork involved in tracking bandits.

He concluded by reminding Nigerians that the security challenge remains complex, massive, and deeply rooted. He said that people must learn to understand the limitations of field operations. He urged Nigerians to avoid harsh criticism of security officers who often operate with minimal tools in hostile environments. He said that rescue operations require wisdom, patience, strong coordination, and sometimes restraint. He called on Nigerians to trust commanders on the ground and support government decisions that strengthen the country’s overall security.