Oyo Rescue: Senate Approves N50m for Families of Slain Teachers, Soldiers

The Senate on Wednesday approved a donation of N50 million for the families of five people who died during the operation that rescued pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The decision was taken during plenary in Abuja as lawmakers paid tribute to the fallen soldiers and teachers who lost their lives while the victims were being rescued after spending 56 days in captivity.

Under the arrangement approved by the Senate, each of the five affected families will receive N10 million. The lawmakers said the financial support is meant to assist the families, especially the children left behind by the deceased.

The decision followed the adoption of a motion earlier presented by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who praised President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for carrying out the successful rescue mission. The Senate noted that the operation restored confidence among Nigerians and showed the country’s determination to confront insecurity.

The lawmakers recalled that the pupils and teachers were kidnapped on May 15 in an attack that raised concerns about the safety of schools, particularly in rural communities. Acting on the President’s directive, security agencies launched an intelligence-based operation that led to the rescue of the victims on July 10. During the mission, several suspected criminals were killed while eight terrorism suspects were arrested.

The Senate also directed the relevant authorities to provide quality 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 operation.

Lawmakers honoured the three soldiers who died during the mission—Lieutenant F.A. Isaac, Private Silas Musa and Sergeant Abena John Jerome—as well as the two teachers who also lost their lives. On Tuesday, senators observed a minute of silence in their memory and described their sacrifices as a service the nation would always remember.

The upper chamber further pledged to continue supporting measures aimed at improving national security, protecting schools and vulnerable communities, and strengthening the welfare of security personnel involved in dangerous operations across the country.