Former JTF commander Major General Anthony Atolagbe (Rtd.) says Nigerians must understand that rescue operations prioritise saving lives over arresting kidnappers, stressing that “what plays out on the field is not paperwork.”
Former JTF Field Commander Major General Anthony Magnawa Atolagbe (Rtd.) has urged Nigerians to recognise that rescue missions, such as the release of the 24 Kebbi schoolgirls, are designed to save lives, not necessarily to “neutralise abductors,” explaining that “what plays out on the field is not paperwork.”
Speaking to clarify concerns over the lack of arrests, he emphasised that kidnappers often place themselves among hostages, forcing commanders to prioritise safety, adding: “It’s not as if we are fighting a war against these guys; we are going on a rescue mission.”
He cited international examples, warned that Nigeria lacks the technology to monitor all hotspots, supported President Tinubu’s plan to redeploy more police for general security, and noted that U.S. intelligence support could be a “game-changer.”