The Senate on Wednesday approved a ₦50 million donation to the families of five security personnel and civilians who lost their lives during the operation that secured the release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The intervention followed Tuesday’s tribute by the upper chamber to the fallen heroes, whose efforts contributed to the successful rescue of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers abducted on May 15.
Among those who died during the operation were Lieutenant F.A. Isaac of the Nigerian Army, Private Silas Musa of the 81 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Sergeant Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force, and two teachers.
Announcing the decision, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the Senate resolved to provide financial assistance to the bereaved families, particularly to support the children left behind by the deceased.
He directed that each of the five families receive ₦10 million, bringing the total donation to ₦50 million.
The Senate’s decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who described the abduction as a troubling sign of the spread of organised criminal activities into the South-West.
Bamidele recalled that President Bola Tinubu had ordered security agencies to deploy every lawful resource to rescue the victims, leading to an intelligence-driven operation that culminated in their rescue on July 10.
Lawmakers disclosed that the operation led to the neutralisation of several kidnappers and the arrest of eight suspected terrorists.
They said the successful mission had restored public confidence in Nigeria’s security architecture, especially among parents and school communities, while demonstrating that criminal groups would not find safe havens across the country.
The Senate also urged the Federal Government to provide comprehensive medical treatment and welfare support for Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain of the 81 Battalion, who sustained serious injuries while shielding the abducted children from gunfire during the rescue operation.
To strengthen security and prevent future attacks on schools and communities, the lawmakers further called on the Federal Government to intensify military operations against criminal groups through improved intelligence gathering, deployment of advanced surveillance technology and provision of modern security equipment to security agencies.
