The Senate has approved a N50 million donation to the families of three security personnel and two teachers who lost their lives during the rescue of abducted schoolchildren from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The announcement was made during plenary by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, while commending the Federal Government and security agencies for the successful rescue of the children, who spent about 56 days in captivity.
Akpabio said the N50 million would be shared equally among the five bereaved families, with N10 million allotted to each family as a token of support.
The beneficiaries are Lieutenant F.A. Isaac, Private Silas Musa (23NA/84/4604), 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, and Sergeant Abena John Jerome (F/No. 234511) of the Nigeria Police Force, who paid the supreme sacrifice during the rescue operation to save the abducted schoolchildren and their teachers.
Also benefiting are the families of the two teachers who were killed while in captivity, Michael Oyedokun, a Mathematics teacher who was beheaded by the kidnappers, and Esiyan Adegboye, 49, who was shot dead during the attack.
The Senate paid tribute to the fallen security personnel and teachers, describing their sacrifice as heroic and made in defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in the protection of innocent citizens.
Lawmakers also commended 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 Bola Tinubu for their roles in the successful rescue operation.
The red chamber further urged the Federal Government and security agencies to sustain similar efforts in securing the release of Nigerians still being held captive in different parts of the country.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
