Handling security incidents that have already ended like robberies cannot be as complex as cases of abduction, which are not only ongoing occurrences but also constantly evolving.

This is because the rescue of an abducted person is delicate and requires tailor-made operations to ensure the safety of the victim.

On Monday, suspected al Shabaab militants abducted four chiefs and an assistant chief in Elwak, Mandera county, along Elwak-Wargadud-Mandera road.

Immediately, local elders planned to send elders to Somalia to negotiate with their counterparts for the release of the officials. They had already been taken across to the neighbouring country, Somalia.

Even as a joint security operation led by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) was launched to secure the area and avert further attacks, some security experts and elders advised that the safest way of guaranteeing their safe release was through negotiations.

Few hours later, elders who were to lead the negotiation mission were identified and arrangements were being made for the engagement.

The abductions took place just a day before President William Ruto began a four-day development tour of the North Eastern region.

While speaking in Mandera, the President directed Deputy Inspector-General Gilbert Masengeli to spearhead efforts to bring the abducted chiefs home safely.

Ruto further said the abduction was a desperate attempt to cause panic and warned that the government will go after the terrorists and eliminate them.

While the President is justified in giving such directives and warning, it should be noted that every critical incident carries own complexities. In the case of the chiefs, where their safe rescue was the priority, a slightly different multi-pronged approach was necessary.

Such cases involve a high level of uncertainty about the safety of the victims and should be handled cautiously, by also involving multiplicity of stakeholders, including the elders, family members and law enforcement agencies from both countries.

Timely response and the effectiveness of initial actions would go a long way in ensuring the safe release of victims. Armed rescue operations can be applied but the risk remains that the victims may be harmed or killed by the abductors.

Therefore, any action or utterance needs serious considerations as misjudged decisions may lead to prolonged captivity or harming of victims.

Similar attacks targeting government officials have been reported in the past and the government should be proactive and put measures in place to ensure the safety of these officials.

Already, a special police unit has been formed to support local administrators in maintaining law and order within their jurisdictions.

The functions of the National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAPU) include law enforcement support, public safety and emergency response, protection of government installations, and ensuring safety of the officials during high-risk operations.