Senate Donates ₦50m to Families of Security Personnel, Teachers Killed in Oyo School Rescue
Senate Donates ₦50m to Families of Security Personnel, Teachers Killed in Oyo School Rescue
The Senate on Wednesday approved a ₦50 million donation to the families of five security personnel and teachers who lost their lives during efforts to rescue schoolchildren abducted in Oorire, Oyo State.
The donation followed the successful rescue of the pupils and their teachers after spending 56 days in captivity.
Announcing the decision during plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the upper chamber unanimously resolved to provide ₦10 million to each of the five bereaved families in recognition of the sacrifices made by the deceased.
Akpabio recalled that the Senate had, on Tuesday, commended President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies for successfully securing the release of the kidnapped victims.
He praised 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, whom he described as the Commander-in-Chief, for their roles in the rescue operation.
The Senate President, however, noted that the successful operation came at a painful cost, with three security personnel and two teachers losing their lives.
The fallen officers were identified 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.
The two teachers killed in captivity were identified as Deacon John Olaleye and Michael Oyedokun.
Akpabio disclosed that both teachers were murdered by their abductors, with Oyedokun reportedly beheaded before the victims were eventually rescued.
He explained that the ₦10 million approved for each family is intended to provide financial support for the children and dependants of the deceased.
The proposal was adopted through a voice vote and received overwhelming support from senators.
Akpabio subsequently directed the leadership of the Senate to present the cheques to the affected families on behalf of the upper legislative chamber.
He expressed hope that, although symbolic, the financial assistance would offer some relief to the bereaved families while demonstrating the Senate’s appreciation for the courage, sacrifice and service of the deceased.
The Oorire schoolchildren were rescued last week in a joint operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services after spending 56 days in the custody of their abductors.
