The Senate has approved a ₦50 million donation to the families of five security personnel and teachers who lost their lives during the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The upper chamber resolved that each of the five bereaved families should receive ₦10 million to support the welfare of the children and other dependants left behind by the deceased.
The decision followed the Senate’s adoption of a motion commending the successful rescue operation that secured the release of the victims after about 56 days in captivity, while paying tribute to the security operatives and teachers who died during the mission.
The fallen heroes were identified as Lieutenant F.A. Isaac of the Nigerian Army, Private Silas Musa of the 81 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Sergeant Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force, and two teachers who reportedly remained with the abducted pupils throughout their captivity before they were killed by the kidnappers.
Announcing the resolution during plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies for the successful intelligence-led operation that secured the victims’ freedom.
He described the rescue as a demonstration of effective inter-agency collaboration and coordinated intelligence gathering.
“We have applauded the government and the security agencies, and we pray that similar efforts will be extended to every part of the country where Nigerians remain in captivity,” Akpabio said.
He commended the President, 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 other security agencies for their coordinated efforts.
According to Akpabio, although the operation was successful, the nation paid a painful price with the loss of three security personnel and two teachers.
“The Senate has resolved to donate ₦50 million, with ₦10 million to each of the five families, to augment the upkeep of the children and dependants left behind by these heroes,” he added.
He directed Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, to coordinate the presentation of the cheques to the affected families.
Earlier, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi (Bauchi Central) called for the immediate prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with the abduction, warning that any delay could fuel public suspicion.
The motion, sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, described the May 15 abduction as a disturbing expansion of organised criminal activities into the South-West.
Bamidele noted that President Tinubu immediately directed security agencies to deploy all lawful resources to rescue the victims, leading to an intensive intelligence-driven operation that culminated in their rescue on July 10.
He disclosed that the operation neutralised several members of the criminal gang and resulted in the arrest of eight suspected terrorists.
The Senate also urged the Federal Government to provide comprehensive medical care and full welfare support for Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain of the 81 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, who sustained severe injuries while reportedly shielding the abducted children from gunfire during the rescue operation.
Lawmakers further called on the Federal Government to intensify military operations against kidnappers, terrorists and other criminal groups through the deployment of advanced surveillance technology, modern equipment and enhanced intelligence capabilities.
Meanwhile, the Senate passed for second reading three Executive Bills seeking to reform the governance structures of key health regulatory institutions by reducing the size of their governing boards to improve efficiency and cut administrative costs.
The bills are the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Amendment Bill, 2026, the Nursing and Midwifery Registration Amendment Bill, 2026, and the Radiographers Registration Amendment Bill, 2026.
Leading the debate, Bamidele said the reforms were part of the Federal Government’s public sector reform agenda to reduce waste, strengthen corporate governance, improve institutional oversight and redirect savings towards healthcare infrastructure, equipment, personnel, research and improved service delivery.
The Senate unanimously referred the three bills to the relevant committee for further legislative action.
In a separate development, Senate President Akpabio dismissed a fresh constitutional point of order challenging the defection of Senator Maidoki from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ruling that the matter had already been determined by the Senate.
The Senate also adopted the Conference Committee Report on the National Assembly Service Commission Amendment Bill, 2026, after harmonising differences between the versions earlier passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.
