The Senate on Wednesday approved a donation of N50 million to the families of five people who died during the rescue operation after pupils and teachers were kidnapped from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Lawmakers described the deaths as a painful sacrifice in the fight against insecurity. Each of the five families will receive N10 million.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the donation during plenary. He praised the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for rescuing the kidnapped pupils and teachers after they spent 56 days in captivity.
Akpabio said, “The Senate took the decision to augment the upkeep of the children left behind by the deceased.”
He also directed that “each of the deceased families be given N10 million.”
The donation came after the Senate adopted a motion moved on Tuesday by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central). The motion commended President Bola Tinubu, the military and other security agencies for carrying out the successful rescue operation.
While presenting the motion, Bamidele recalled the shock that followed the May 15 kidnapping of the pupils and teachers. He described the incident as a “disturbing expansion of organised criminal activities” into the South-West.
He said President Tinubu immediately ordered security agencies to use every lawful resource to rescue the victims. This led to an intelligence-based operation that ended with the victims being rescued on July 10. Several criminals were killed, while eight suspected terrorists were arrested.
The Senate noted, “The successful rescue has restored hope and confidence among Nigerians, particularly parents and school communities,” adding that it sends an “unmistakable message” that criminals have no haven in Nigeria.
The Senate also called on the appropriate authorities to provide the best medical treatment and full welfare support for Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain (16NA/75/6430) of the 81 Battalion, who suffered serious injuries while protecting the kidnapped children from gunfire during the rescue operation.
Lawmakers also honoured 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 lost their lives.
More than 45 pupils and teachers were kidnapped from two schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15. The incident caused nationwide outrage and raised fresh concerns about the safety of schools, especially in rural communities.
The victims spent 56 days in captivity before security agencies rescued them in a joint operation.
On Tuesday, senators observed a minute of silence for the slain soldiers and teachers, saying their sacrifices would always be remembered.
The Senate also restated its commitment to supporting efforts to improve security across the country, strengthen the protection of schools and vulnerable communities, and improve the welfare of security personnel involved in dangerous operations.
