Family calls for body of Nigerian Army officer killed while rescuing Oyo schoolboy – THIS UPDATE

The family of Lieutenant Ademe Isaac, the Nigerian army officer killed during the rescue operation of kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo state, has called for the release of his body for burial in Adamawa state, accusing the military of refusing to hand over his remains despite repeated appeals.

Lieutenant Isaac lost his life during the military operation that secured the freedom of pupils, teachers and other victims abducted by terrorists in Orire Local Government Area near Ogbomoso on July 10, 2026. The operation was hailed as a major breakthrough against kidnapping, but it also cost the young officer his life.

The deceased officer’s father, retired Air Marshal Alabura, revealed the family’s ordeal during an emotional interview with the BBC, saying they remain traumatized by the loss and are now fighting to secure custody of his remains.

According to the retired soldier, military authorities informed the family that Lieutenant Isaac would be accorded a befitting military burial but rejected their request to release his body for burial at his ancestral home in Adamawa State.

Alabura, who served in the Nigerian Army for 35 years before retiring, said the army’s decision had compounded the family’s grief.

Recalling the moment he received the tragic news, he said he struggled to contain his emotions before informing other family members.

“When I reunited the family, I couldn’t even explain what happened because I was already in tears. It was one of the most painful moments of my life,” she said.

He explained that the commanding officer who led the rescue operation called him personally to inform him that his son had been killed in action.

“I asked him to let me know what arrangements would be made and requested that my son’s body be returned to the family,” he added.

According to Alabura, the officer then informed him that after consulting senior military authorities, including the General Officer Commanding (GOC), the army had decided not to release the body.

“He told me that the PRC government said they would not release the body but instead give it a proper military burial,” he noted.

Rejecting the decision, the grieving father insisted that the fallen officer deserved to be buried in his hometown.

“The burial should be in Yola, not Ibadan. My son cannot be allowed to die serving Nigeria and then bury him away from his family. This is unacceptable,” he said.

He noted that the family hails from Gulak and Guyuk Local Government Areas of Adamawa State and believes it is fitting that Lt Isaac should be buried among his people.

The grieving father also recounted his last telephone conversation with his son shortly before the operation.

Based on his own military experience, Alabura said he warned the young officer to remain vigilant throughout the mission.

“I warned him about the operation. I advised him not to trust everyone on the front lines and to be careful in everything he does,” he said.

According to him, the last time they spoke was on the day of the operation at around 7.14pm.

“He told me that they were making progress in the forest. I never imagined that this would be the last time I would hear my son’s voice. I never believed that he would die in the line of duty. We are still living in shock and praying that this pain will one day become bearable,” he said.

Alabura described his late son as disciplined, courageous and deeply committed to serving Nigeria.

He said Lieutenant Isaac always aspired to become a general and dedicate his career to protecting lives and defending the country’s territorial integrity.

“He wanted to be a general. He was hard working, diligent and determined to succeed in the military. He had so much hope for the future and I miss everything about him.”

At the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had not issued an official response to the family’s statement that it had refused to release Lieutenant Isaac’s body for burial in Adamawa State. The military also did not publicly explain how the fallen officer would be buried.

The late officer, the third son in the family, trained at the Nigerian Defense Academy before being commissioned as a second lieutenant. He was later posted to the Signals Regiment of the 2nd Division of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan.

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