The Senate says the gesture honours three soldiers and two teachers who died during the Oriire rescue operation

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 of pupils and teachers in Oriire local government area of Oyo State.

Announcing the donation at plenary on Wednesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said each of the five bereaved families would receive N10 million from the upper legislative chamber. The donation comes days after security agencies rescued the abducted schoolchildren and teachers following about 56 days in captivity.

Who died during the Oriire rescue operation

The rescue operation claimed the lives of three military and police personnel: Lieutenant F.A. Isaac of the Nigerian Army, Private Silas Musa of the 81 Battalion, and Sergeant Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force. Two teachers, Michael Oyedokun and John Olaleye, also lost their lives during the abduction, with Oyedokun killed while in captivity and Olaleye shot dead during the initial attack on the school premises.

Akpabio recalled that the Senate had, on Tuesday, adopted a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele commending President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for the successful rescue operation.

“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,” he said.

“An army lieutenant from Adamawa was killed, a police sergeant was killed, another private soldier was killed, and many people were wounded.”

Akpabio describes N50m donation as a token of appreciation

Akpabio said the gesture was meant to support the bereaved families and recognise the sacrifices made by the deceased, noting that the young army lieutenant was only 28 years old.

“So we are sending a token of N50 million to them, to be divided among the five deceased families, the families of the two teachers and the families of the three operatives who lost their lives. N10 million each on behalf of the Senate,” he said.

He added that the Senate was pleading for similar support to be extended to victims of captivity elsewhere in the country.

“So, we have taken the motion to applaud the government, we applauded the security agencies, and we are pleading that the same be extended to any other part of the country, wherever there may be any Nigerian in captivity,” he said.

The proposal was adopted by voice vote, with Akpabio directing Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to present the cheques to the bereaved families on behalf of the Senate. Senators had earlier observed a minute’s silence in honour of the slain teachers and soldiers.