The Senate on Wednesday approved a N50 million donation to the families of five individuals who lost their lives during the military operation that rescued abducted pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The approval means each of the five bereaved families will receive N10 million in recognition of what lawmakers described as their sacrifice in the fight against insecurity.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced the donation during plenary while commending the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for successfully rescuing the victims after 56 days in captivity.
Akpabio said the financial support was intended to assist the children and dependants left behind by the deceased.
“The Senate took the decision to augment the upkeep of the children left behind by the deceased,” he said, directing that each of the affected families receive N10 million.
The donation followed the Senate’s adoption of a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), who praised President Bola Tinubu, the military and security agencies for carrying out the successful rescue operation.
Bamidele recalled that the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers had shocked the nation and represented a dangerous expansion of organised criminal activities into Nigeria’s South-West.
He noted that President Tinubu immediately ordered security agencies to deploy every lawful resource to rescue the victims, leading to an intelligence-driven operation that resulted in their rescue on July 10, the neutralisation of several criminals and the arrest of eight suspected terrorists.
The Senate said the successful operation had restored public confidence and reassured parents and school communities that efforts to combat insecurity were yielding results.
Lawmakers also called on the relevant authorities to provide comprehensive medical care and welfare support for Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain (16NA/75/6430) of the 81 Battalion, who sustained serious injuries while shielding the abducted children from gunfire during the operation.
The Senate paid tribute to the three soldiers killed during the rescue mission—Lieutenant F.A. Isaac, Private Silas Musa and Sergeant Abena John Jerome—as well as the two teachers who also lost their lives.
More than 45 pupils and teachers were abducted from two schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the security of schools, especially in rural communities.
After spending 56 days in captivity, the victims were rescued in a coordinated operation involving the Nigerian military and other security agencies.
The Senate had on Tuesday observed a minute of silence in honour of the fallen soldiers and teachers, vowing that their sacrifices would not be forgotten.
Lawmakers also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting policies aimed at strengthening national security, improving the protection of schools and vulnerable communities, and enhancing the welfare of security personnel serving in high-risk operations.
