The Senate has approved a ₦50 million donation to the families of five Nigerians who lost their lives during the rescue operation that freed schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.
The decision was reached during Wednesday’s plenary after Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that the Upper Chamber would donate ₦10 million each to the families of three security operatives and two teachers who died while participating in the rescue mission.
Akpabio commended the security agencies for the successful operation, praising 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 Bola Tinubu for their roles in securing the victims’ release. He noted that although the mission ended successfully, it came at a painful cost.
The Senate President identified the fallen security personnel 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 who lost their lives were identified as Deacon Olaleye and Michael Oyedokun.
Akpabio directed the Senate leadership to present the cheques to the bereaved families on behalf of the National Assembly, expressing hope that the financial support would offer some relief during their time of grief.
Meanwhile, the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) in Oyo State welcomed the rescue but urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of hundreds of other Nigerians still being held by kidnappers. The group’s State Coordinator, Bamigboye Abiodun, said the successful operation demonstrated the impact of sustained public advocacy in pushing authorities to act more decisively.
The National Association of Yoruba Descendants in North America (Egbe Omo Yoruba of North America) also called for stronger preventive security measures across the country. In a statement signed by its National President, Dr. Ayodeji Famuyide, and National General Secretary, Rotimi Kuteyi, the group said the Ogbomoso abduction should serve as a reminder that preventing kidnappings is just as important as conducting rescue operations.
At the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso, Chief Medical Director Prof. Olawale Olakulehin appealed to journalists and the public to respect the privacy of the rescued victims. He warned that excessive media attention could hinder their emotional recovery after weeks in captivity.
Olakulehin disclosed that the rescued teachers and pupils underwent comprehensive medical and psychological evaluations immediately after arriving at the hospital on Monday night. According to him, doctors and mental health specialists worked through the night to assess their condition, while 35 of the rescued victims have since been discharged after being certified medically fit and reunited with their families.
