The Senate on Tuesday named three security personnel who lost their lives while on operation to free the abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The upper chamber also said another soldier was injured in the operation, which ended the victims’ 56-day captivity.
It called on the Federal Government to ensure prompt payment of death benefits, pensions, insurance claims and other entitlements due to families of fallen personnel.
The resolutions were passed after considering a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele and co-sponsored by the remaining 108 senators.
The lawmakers praised President Bola Tinubu for his “decisive leadership, strategic direction and constant dedication to strengthening the country’s security architecture.
Bamidele, who led the debate, said terrorists abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
“The victims, their relatives and Nigerians were exposed to weeks of fear and uncertainty,” he said.
He said the attack was “a disturbing expansion of organised criminal activities into the South-West” and “a direct attack on the right of every child to be educated in a safe and secure environment.”
According to Bamidele, Tinubu then ordered the Armed Forces and other security agencies to deploy all lawful resources needed to ensure the unconditional release of the victims.
He said the victims were rescued on Friday, July 10, after an intelligence-led operation conducted by security agencies that lasted for over 50 days.
The Senate Leader also told that the operation led to the arrest of eight suspected terrorists and the killing of several others.
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Three Killed, One Soldier Wounded
Bamidele identified the fallen personnel as Lieutenant F. A. Isaac of the Nigerian Army, Private Silas Musa of the 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army and Sergeant Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force.
He said, “The military campaign against the terrorists was crowned with the supreme sacrifice of Lieutenant F. A. Isaac (N/20349), Nigerian Army; Private Silas Musa (23NA/84/4604), 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army; and Sergeant Abena John Jerome (F/No. 234511), Nigeria Police Force.
Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain of the 81 Battalion was injured during the rescue operation, he said.
He said that during the operation, Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain (16NA/75/6430), 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, was wounded.
The Senate leader also stated that one of the abducted teachers died while the victims were in captivity.
“The rescue of the remaining pupils and teachers without further casualties is a huge security achievement,” he said.
“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 is a remarkable achievement worthy of national recognition,” Bamidele said.
He said the operation had also restored confidence among parents, school communities and other Nigerians.
“The success of the operation has re-assured Nigerians, especially parents and school communities, and sent a clear message that the Federal Government is determined to ensure that criminal elements have no safe haven anywhere within the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
The day of the abduction was a “Black Friday” in his senatorial district, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Fatai Buhari, who seconded the motion, described.
The families of the victims suffered 56 days of anxiety until the completion of the rescue operation, he said.
Buhari said it was 56 days of agony before the victims were freed.
Shortly after the pupils and their teachers were freed, the senator said he visited them at the hospital.
“Some of the children were on oxygen, others were on drips but within 24 hours they were all on their feet already,” he added.
Senate Wants Additional Strikes
The Senate in its resolutions, urged the Federal Government to sustain and intensify military and intelligence operations against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal groups across the country.
It demanded provision of modern equipment, advanced surveillance technology, improved intelligence capabilities and adequate logistics for security agencies.
The lawmakers also advocated for improved welfare packages for military personnel, police officers and other operatives involved in counter-terrorism operations.
The Senate called on the government “to ensure the prompt payment of all statutory death benefits, insurance claims, pensions and other welfare entitlements due to the families of the fallen heroes and to continue to strengthen the welfare, training, equipment and operational capacity of members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.”
It further called on Nigerians to support security agencies by providing prompt and credible intelligence and to cooperate with the ongoing efforts to curb criminal activities.
The chamber paid tribute to the fallen personnel and commended the security agencies involved in the operation.
