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.

The upper chamber also urged the Federal Government to sustain military operations against terrorists, kidnappers and bandits nationwide.

It also called for the prompt payment of death benefits, insurance claims, pensions and other entitlements to the families of the fallen personnel.

The resolutions followed the consideration of a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and co-sponsored by 108 other senators.

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

The Senate commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as his “decisive leadership, strategic direction and unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture” following the rescue of the victims after 56 days in captivity.

Leading the debate, 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.

He said security agencies subsequently launched an intelligence-driven rescue operation that lasted more than 50 days and culminated in the successful rescue of the victims on Friday, July 10.

Bamidele said the operation led to the arrest of eight suspected terrorists, while several others were neutralised.

He disclosed that “the military campaign against the terrorists led to the ultimate sacrifice of 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 also noted that one of the abducted teachers died while in captivity.

“Although one of the abducted teachers sadly lost his life during the period of captivity, the successful rescue of the remaining victims without further tragic consequences remains a remarkable achievement worthy of national recognition,” he said.

“The successful operation has restored hope and confidence among Nigerians, particularly parents and school communities, while sending an unmistakable message that the Federal Government remains resolute in ensuring that criminal elements have no safe haven anywhere within the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Fatai Buhari, who seconded the motion, described the day of the abduction as a “Black Friday” in his senatorial district.

He said, “It had been 56 days of agony until the victims were rescued.”

Buhari added that he visited the rescued pupils and teachers at the hospital shortly after their release.

“One of the children was on oxygen while others were on drips, but within 24 hours, all of them were already on their feet,” he said.

In its resolutions, the Senate urged the Federal Government to sustain and intensify military and intelligence operations against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements through the provision of modern equipment, advanced surveillance technology, improved intelligence capabilities, logistics and enhanced welfare packages for security personnel.

The lawmakers also urged the government “to ensure the prompt payment of all statutory death benefits, insurance claims, pensions and other welfare entitlements due to the families of the fallen heroes, and to continue strengthening the welfare, training, equipment and operational capacity of members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.”

The Senate further called on Nigerians to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies through timely intelligence, cooperation and patriotism.

It also paid tribute to the three fallen security personnel and commended President Tinubu for his leadership in the rescue operation. (The PUNCH, excluding headline)

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