In a bittersweet end to a tense rescue, Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed that 28-year-old Lieutenant Felix Ademe Isaac was killed in the early phase of the operation that freed more than 40 pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire LGA, Oyo state.
Born August 25, 1997, Lt. Isaac was buried on July 10 at the 23rd Armoured Brigade Cemetery in Yola, Adamawa — the very day the hostages were brought home after 56 days in captivity. The intelligence-led rescue was led by Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife and involved personnel from more than 10 security agencies over roughly a month.
The Oriire nightmare began on May 15 when gunmen attacked three schools — Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School in Ogbomosho — dragging pupils and teachers deep into Oyo National Park. Governor Makinde later said one of the abducted teachers was killed. The state closed public schools and protests followed.
Hassan Ajibola, head of the Oyo Teachers’ Union, told the BBC he was “happy and elated” but urged stronger protection. He said: “I am very much convinced that should that [if the] program be fully implemented and as initiated, our schools will be very, very secure.” He wants security personnel at schools, CCTV, regular patrols, fences and local security groups filling personnel gaps.
