The Senate has approved a N50 million donation to the families of two teachers and three security personnel who lost their lives during the abduction and rescue operation involving pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the donation during Wednesday’s plenary, saying each of the five bereaved families would receive N10 million from the upper legislative chamber.
The gesture follows the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers after they spent about 56 days in captivity.
The rescue operation claimed the lives of three security operatives — Lieutenant F.A. Isaac, Sergeant Silas Musa and Private Abena John Jerome. Two teachers, Michael Oyedokun and John Olaleye, also died during the ordeal.
Akpabio recalled that the Senate had on Tuesday commended President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies for securing the victims’ freedom while recognising the sacrifices made by personnel involved in the operation.
He said the Senate believed the families of those who paid the ultimate price deserved support.
“We also noted the fact that three of the personnel who went for rescue operations lost their lives in the course of trying to rescue those children,” Akpabio said.
He added that the two teachers abducted alongside the pupils also died while in captivity.
According to him, the Senate hopes similar rescue efforts will continue wherever Nigerians are being held captive across the country.
Akpabio described the donation as a token of support from the Senate, noting that one of the fallen officers was only 28 years old.
The proposal was adopted through a voice vote, after which Akpabio directed Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to present the cheques to the five bereaved families on behalf of the Senate.
