The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday approved a ₦50 million donation to support the families of five Nigerians who died during the rescue operation of schoolchildren abducted in Oriire, Oyo State, after 56 days in captivity.

The decision was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary, where lawmakers unanimously agreed to release ₦10 million to each of the affected families. The beneficiaries include the relatives of three fallen security operatives and two teachers.

Akpabio recalled that the Senate had, a day earlier, commended President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies for the successful rescue of the abducted children and their teachers.

He specifically 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, whom he described as the Commander-in-Chief that led the operation.

“While the operation ended with the safe rescue of the victims, it came at a heavy cost,” Akpabio stated.

The Senate President named the deceased 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 slain teachers were identified as Deacon John Olaleye and Michael Oyedokun. Oyedokun was reportedly beheaded by the kidnappers while in captivity, before the rescue operation took place.

Akpabio explained that the ₦10 million per family is intended to support the children and other dependants left behind by the deceased.

He put the proposal to a voice vote, which received overwhelming and unanimous support from the senators.

The Senate President subsequently directed the leadership of the upper chamber to present the cheques to the bereaved families on behalf of the Senate.

Akpabio expressed hope that the financial gesture, though symbolic, would provide some relief to the families and reaffirm the Senate’s appreciation for the supreme sacrifices made by the fallen heroes.

•Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele

The Senate on Tuesday disclosed the identities of four security personnel who were killed and another injured during the operation that rescued abducted pupils and teachers from terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Office of the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.

They were Lieutenant F. A. Isaac (N/20349), Nigerian Army; Private Silas Musa (23NA/84/4604), 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army; and Sergeant Abena John Jerome (F/No. 234511), Nigeria Police Force.

He added that “Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain (16NA/75/6430), 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, sustained injuries in the course of the operation.

Bamidele recalled that terrorists abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, subjecting the victims, their families and the nation to fear and anguish.

He said the attack represented “a disturbing expansion of organised criminal activities into the South-West” and “a direct attack on the right of every child to be educated in a safe and secure environment.”

According to him, Tinubu immediately directed the Armed Forces and security agencies to deploy all available lawful military assets to secure the unconditional release of the victims.

Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force are reported to have arrested the Director General of the fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, in a monitored report seen on TVC News.

His arrest comes barely a few hours after Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a warrant for his arrest.

The Police PRO confirmed that he was arrested by a team of FID/IRT in Osun.

The source said that the suspect would be taken to the Police Headquarters in Abuja for further action.

The arrest followed a brief ruling by Justice Umar, who issued a bench warrant after Adeyemi failed to appear before the court despite several adjournments.