The Senate honors security personnel who lost their lives in the Oyo rescue mission, seeking full benefits for the families

The Senate on Tuesday identified three security personnel who lost their lives and another who sustained injuries during military operations that secured the release of kidnapped students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of ​​Oyo State after 56 days of captivity.

The upper legislative chamber also called on the Federal Government to intensify the ongoing offensive against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal groups across the country, while urging the immediate settlement of all benefits and rights due to the families of the deceased personnel.

The resolution was reached following the adoption of a motion sponsored by the 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 “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 students and seven teachers were abducted by terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the incident as one that left the victims, their families and the country on edge for weeks.

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He said the attack marked “the expansion of organized criminal activity into the Southwest region” and “a direct attack on the right of every child to receive an education in a safe and secure environment.”

According to him, President Tinubu immediately ordered the TNI and other security agencies to mobilize all available legal operational assets to guarantee the unconditional release of the victims.

He explained that this directive led to an intelligence-based operation that lasted more than 50 days before the captives were rescued on Friday, July 10.

Bamidele noted that eight suspected terrorists were arrested during the operation, while several others were disappeared by security forces.

He revealed that “the military campaign against terrorists led to great sacrifices in Lieutenant FA Isaac (N/20349), Nigerian Army; Private Silas Musa (23NA/84/4604), 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army; and Sergeant Abena John Jerome (F/No. 234511), Nigerian Police.

He further disclosed that “Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain (16NA/75/6430), 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, sustained injuries during the operation.”

Bamidele also paid tribute to one of the teachers who was kidnapped and killed while being held hostage.

“While one of the kidnapped 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 that deserves national recognition,” he said.

He added, “The successful operation has restored the hope and confidence of Nigerians, especially parents and school communities, while sending a clear message that the Federal Government remains resolute in ensuring that criminal elements have no safe haven anywhere in the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Supporting the motion, Chairman of the Senate Aviation Committee, Senator Fatai Buhari, described the day of the abduction of students and teachers as a tragic moment for his constituency.

“It had been 56 days of suffering until the victims were rescued,” he said.

Buhari, who visited the rescued victims during their hospital stay, expressed relief at their recovery.

“One of the children received oxygen while the other received an IV drip, but within 24 hours, all of them were able to stand,” he said.

After deliberations, the Senate urged the Federal Government to strengthen military and intelligence operations by providing modern equipment, advanced surveillance technology, improved logistics, enhanced intelligence gathering capabilities and better welfare packages to security agencies.

The lawmakers also called on the government “to ensure prompt payment of all death benefits, insurance claims, pensions and other welfare rights to which the families of fallen heroes are entitled, and to continue to strengthen 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 to support the military and other security agencies by voluntarily providing credible intelligence information, cooperating with security officials, and demonstrating patriotism in the fight against insecurity.

The lawmakers concluded by paying tribute to the three fallen security personnel for their sacrifice and commended President Tinubu for the leadership that guided the successful rescue of the kidnapped teachers and students.