The Senate on Tuesday identified three security operatives who lost their lives and another who sustained injuries during the military operation that secured the release of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.
The upper legislative chamber also called on the Federal Government to intensify ongoing offensives against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal groups across the country, while urging the immediate settlement of all benefits and entitlements due to the families of the deceased personnel.
The resolutions were reached following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, with the support of 108 other senators, according to a statement issued by the Office of the Senate Leader.
Lawmakers praised President Bola Tinubu for what they described as his “decisive leadership, strategic direction and unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture” following the successful rescue operation.
While presenting the motion, Bamidele recalled that 39 pupils and seven teachers were kidnapped by terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the incident as one that plunged the victims, their families and the nation into weeks of anxiety.
He said the attack marked “a disturbing expansion of organised criminal activities into the South-West” and “a direct attack on the right of every child to be educated in a safe and secure environment.”
According to him, President Tinubu immediately ordered the Armed Forces and other security agencies to deploy every lawful operational asset available to secure the victims’ unconditional release.
He explained that the directive culminated in an intelligence-driven operation that lasted more than 50 days before the captives were successfully rescued on Friday, July 10.
Bamidele noted that eight suspected terrorists were apprehended during the operation, while several others were eliminated by security forces.
He disclosed that “the military campaign against the terrorists led to the ultimate sacrifice of Lieutenant F. A. Isaac (N/20349), Nigerian Army; Private Silas Musa (23NA/84/4604), 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army; and Sergeant Abena John Jerome (F/No. 234511), Nigeria Police Force.
He further revealed that “Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain (16NA/75/6430), 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, sustained injuries in the course of the operation.”
Bamidele also paid tribute to one of the abducted teachers who was killed while in captivity.
“Although one of the abducted teachers sadly lost his life during the period of captivity, the successful rescue of the remaining victims without further tragic consequences remains a remarkable achievement worthy of national recognition,” he said.
He added, “The successful operation has restored hope and confidence among Nigerians, particularly parents and school communities, while sending an unmistakable message that the Federal Government remains resolute in ensuring that criminal elements have no safe haven anywhere within the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Supporting the motion, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Fatai Buhari, described the day the pupils and teachers were abducted as a tragic moment for his constituency.
“It had been 56 days of agony until the victims were rescued,” he said.
Buhari, who visited the rescued victims during their hospitalisation, expressed relief at their recovery.
“One of the children was on oxygen while others were on drips, but within 24 hours, all of them were already on their feet,” he said.
Following deliberations, the Senate urged the Federal Government to strengthen military and intelligence operations by providing security agencies with modern equipment, advanced surveillance technology, improved logistics, enhanced intelligence-gathering capabilities and better welfare packages.
The lawmakers also called on the government “to ensure the prompt payment of all statutory death benefits, insurance claims, pensions and other welfare entitlements due to the families of the fallen heroes, and to continue strengthening the welfare, training, equipment and operational capacity of members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.”
The Senate further appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting the military and other security agencies by volunteering credible intelligence, cooperating with security operatives and demonstrating patriotism in the fight against insecurity.
The lawmakers concluded by paying tribute to the three fallen security personnel for their sacrifice and commending President Tinubu for the leadership that guided the successful rescue of the abducted teachers and pupils.
(Ripples)
