Senate Approves ₦50m Compensation for Families of Slain Rescue Heroes in Oyo Abduction

The Nigerian Senate has approved a ₦50 million donation to support the families of three soldiers and two teachers who lost their lives during a high-stakes military rescue operation in Oyo State. Each of the five bereaved families will receive ₦10 million to assist with the upkeep and education of the children left behind.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the financial support during a plenary session on Wednesday, commending the Nigerian Armed Forces and allied security agencies for their bravery in securing the freedom of the hostages after 56 days in captivity.

“The Senate took the decision to augment the upkeep of the children left behind by the deceased,” Akpabio stated, directing that ₦10 million be promptly distributed to each of the families.

The legislative decision followed a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, which praised the military’s swift execution of the rescue mission. Bamidele noted that the May 15 abduction of over 45 pupils and teachers from schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State had shocked the nation and signaled a worrying expansion of organized crime into the South-West. Following a directive from President Bola Tinubu to deploy all necessary resources, security forces launched a coordinated operation that culminated in the successful rescue of the victims on July 10, the neutralization of several bandits, and the arrest of eight suspected terrorists.

The Senate paid solemn tribute to the three fallen soldiers—Lieutenant F.A. Isaac, Private Silas Musa, and Sergeant Abena John Jerome—alongside the two teachers who lost their lives during the rescue. Additionally, lawmakers urged military authorities to provide the highest standard of medical treatment and welfare support to Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain, who was severely injured while shielding the abducted children from gunfire.

After observing a minute of silence for the victims, the upper chamber reaffirmed its commitment to legislative measures that bolster national security, protect vulnerable educational institutions, and improve welfare packages for security personnel engaged in high-risk operations.