Oyo abduction: Senate donates N50m to families of slain teachers, soldiers

The Senate has approved a ₦50 million donation to the families of two teachers and three security personnel who lost their lives during the abduction and rescue operation in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Announcing the gesture during plenary on Wednesday, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said each of the five affected families would receive ₦10 million from the upper legislative chamber.

The donation follows the recent rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers, who were freed after spending about 56 days in captivity.

Three security operatives — F.A. Isaac, Silas Musa, and Abena John Jerome — were killed during the rescue mission. Two teachers, Michael Oyedokun and John Olaleye, also lost their lives while in captivity.

Akpabio recalled that the Senate had earlier commended President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for the successful operation.

He noted that the Senate also recognised the sacrifices of the personnel who died in the line of duty.

“We also noted the fact that three of the personnel who went for rescue operations lost their lives in the course of trying to rescue those children,” he said.

The Senate President highlighted that those who died included a young army lieutenant, a police sergeant, and a private soldier, while several others sustained injuries.

He further stated that the two teachers abducted alongside the pupils were killed during their captivity.

“So today, after discussions with leaders, we decided to support the victims’ families. We are sending a token of ₦50 million to be shared among the five families — ₦10 million each on behalf of the Senate,” Akpabio added.

The proposal was adopted through a voice vote, after which Akpabio directed Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, to present the cheques to the bereaved families.