The Senate on Tuesday approved N50 million for the families of five persons killed during the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that each of the five bereaved families, three security operatives and two teachers, will receive N10 million.
Akpabio said the donation was in recognition of their sacrifice. He also commended President Tinubu and security agencies for securing the release of the victims after 56 days in captivity.
He noted that the operation, though successful, came at a heavy cost as three security personnel were killed while attempting to free the abductees.
According to him, those who lost their lives included a 28-year-old Army lieutenant from Adamawa State, a police sergeant and a private soldier, while several other personnel sustained injuries during the operation.
He said: “Yesterday, the Senate copiously and seriously deliberated and commended Mr. President and the security agencies on the rescue of our children who were in captivity for about 56 days,” Akpabio said.
He added that the Senate had acknowledged the roles played by 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 in ensuring the success of the operation.
He also appealed for similar efforts to be sustained in other parts of the country where Nigerians remain in the hands of kidnappers and other criminal groups.
He said that after consultations with the leadership of the Senate, lawmakers resolved to provide financial support to the bereaved families as a token of appreciation for the ultimate sacrifices made by their loved ones.
“We are sending a token of N50 million to them, to be divided among the five deceased families — the families of the two teachers and the families of the three operatives who lost their lives — N10 million each on behalf of the Senate,” he stated.
The Senate President directed the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, to coordinate the presentation of the cheques to the affected families on behalf of the upper legislative chamber, alongside other senators.