The Senate has approved a N50 million donation to the families of three security operatives and two teachers who lost their lives during the operation that rescued abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced the intervention during Tuesday’s plenary in Abuja, saying each of the five bereaved families would receive N10 million in recognition of the sacrifices made by their loved ones.
Akpabio recalled that the Senate had on Monday commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies for the successful rescue of the victims after spending about 56 days in captivity.
He noted, however, that the rescue operation came at a painful cost, with three security personnel paying the supreme price while several others sustained injuries.
According to him, those who died included a 28-year-old Army lieutenant from Adamawa State, a police sergeant, a private soldier and two teachers.
“Yesterday, the Senate deliberated extensively and commended Mr. President and the security agencies on the rescue of our children who were in captivity for about 56 days,” Akpabio said.
He praised the efforts of the Chief of Army Staff, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police, the Minister of Defence and President Tinubu for ensuring the success of the operation.
The Senate President also appealed to security agencies to sustain the momentum by intensifying efforts to rescue other Nigerians still being held by kidnappers and criminal gangs across the country.
He said the financial support was approved after consultations with the Senate leadership as a token of appreciation to the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“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.
Akpabio subsequently directed the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, to coordinate the presentation of the cheques to the affected families on behalf of the Senate.
