Senate Approves ₦50m Support for Families of Oyo Rescue Operation Victims

The Senate has approved a donation of ₦50 million to the families of five individuals who lost their lives during the rescue operation that freed abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The approval was announced during Wednesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who said each of the five bereaved families would receive ₦10 million in recognition of the sacrifices made in the fight against insecurity.

According to Akpabio, the financial support is intended to assist the families, particularly the children left behind by the deceased.

The donation followed the Senate’s adoption of a motion presented by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, commending President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for the successful rescue of the victims after 56 days in captivity.

The Senate noted that the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area marked a disturbing expansion of organised criminal activities into the South-West, prompting a swift security response.

Lawmakers acknowledged that following President Tinubu’s directive to deploy all lawful resources, security agencies carried out an intelligence-led operation that resulted in the rescue of the abductees on July 10, the neutralisation of several suspected criminals and the arrest of eight suspected terrorists.

The upper chamber said the operation had restored public confidence and sent a clear message that criminal groups would not be allowed to operate freely in the country.

The Senate also urged the relevant authorities to provide comprehensive medical treatment and welfare support for Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain of the 81 Battalion, who sustained serious injuries while protecting the abducted children during the rescue mission.

Lawmakers paid tribute to the three soldiers who died during the operation—Lieutenant F.A. Isaac, Private Silas Musa and Sergeant Abena John Jerome—as well as the two teachers who also lost their lives.

The victims were among those affected by the May 15 abduction of more than 45 pupils and teachers from two schools in Oriire Local Government Area, an incident that sparked widespread concern over the safety of schools in rural communities.

The Senate reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at improving national security, strengthening the protection of schools and vulnerable communities, and enhancing the welfare of security personnel engaged in high-risk operations.