The Senate on Wednesday approved a donation of N50 million to the families of five people who died during the rescue operation that secured the release of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The upper chamber described the deaths as a significant sacrifice in the country’s fight against insecurity, with each of the five bereaved families to receive N10 million.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced the donation during plenary while commending the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for rescuing the abducted pupils and teachers after 56 days in captivity.
“The Senate took the decision to augment the upkeep of the children left behind by the deceased,” Akpabio said, directing that each bereaved family should receive N10 million.
The donation followed the Senate’s adoption on Tuesday of a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), which commended President Bola Tinubu, the military and other security agencies for the rescue operation.
Moving the motion, Bamidele recalled the public outcry that followed the abduction of pupils and teachers on 15 May, describing the incident as a disturbing expansion of organised criminal activity into the South-West.
He said that, following a directive by President Tinubu to deploy all lawful resources, security agencies launched an intelligence-led operation that resulted in the victims’ rescue on 10 July, the killing of several suspected criminals and the arrest of eight suspected terrorists.
According to the Senate, the successful operation has restored public confidence, particularly among parents and school communities, while sending a clear message that criminal groups have no safe haven in Nigeria.
The Senate also urged the relevant authorities to provide comprehensive medical treatment 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.
Lawmakers 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 two teachers who also lost their lives.
More than 45 pupils and teachers were abducted from two schools in Oriire Local Government Area on 15 May, an incident that triggered widespread concern over the security of schools, particularly in rural communities.
The victims spent 56 days in captivity before they were rescued in a coordinated operation involving the military and other security agencies.
