The Senate has asked the federal government to sustain and intensify ongoing military and intelligence operations against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements across the federation as demonstrated in the recent rescue of kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State.
The parliament, also, tasked the federal 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 continue strengthening the welfare, training, equipment and operational capacity of members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.
This was contained in a resolution by the Senate on Tuesday following the rescue of abducted students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area, Oyo State last Friday after spending 56 days in terrorists’ captivity.
The Senate arrived at the resolution after due consideration of a motion sponsored by Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele alongside 108 other senators, thereby commending the president for his decisive leadership, strategic direction and unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
Leading debate on the motion, Bamidele recalled how terrorists invaded schools in Orire Local Government Area, Oyo State abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers thereby subjecting innocent pupils, teachers, parents and entire federation to fear, anguish and emotional trauma.
Bamidele added that the abduction represented a disturbing expansion of organised criminal activities into the South-west, which constituted a direct attack on the right of every child to be educated in a safe and secure environment.
Immediately after the attack was reported, according to Bamidele, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu mobilised the Armed Forces and all security and intelligence agencies to deploy every lawful military asset to secure the unconditional release of the victims.
He explained that the Nigerian Armed Forces, in concerted efforts to rescue the abducted students and teachers, worked in close collaboration with intelligence and other security agencies to launch a painstaking, intelligence-driven, and highly coordinated rescue operation that lasted over fifty days.
Bamidele, thus, chronicled how the teachers and students were rescued, noting that the security forces successfully rescued the abducted school children and teachers on Friday, July 10.
He noted that the rescue of the kidnapped pupils and teachers brought an end to 56 days of captivity and uncertainty for the victims and their families, an operation that resulted in the arrest of eight terrorists with several terrorists neutralised.
He explained 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.
While courageously defending the lives of innocent school children and their teachers, Bamidele revealed that Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain (16NA/75/6430), 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, sustained injuries in the course of the operation
The leader of the senate said: “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;
“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, Senate Committee on Aviation, Fatai Buhari seconded the motion, describing the day of the abduction as “Black Friday” in his senatorial district, saying it had been 56 days of agony until the victims were rescued.
Buhari observed that he was at the hospital to see the rescued pupils and teachers on the day the children and teachers were rescued, saying one of the children was on oxygen while others were on drips, but within 24 hours, all of them were already on their feet.
In its resolution, the Senate urge the federal government to sustain and intensify ongoing military and intelligence operations against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements across the Federation through the provision of modern equipment, advanced surveillance technology, intelligence capabilities, improved logistics and enhanced welfare packages for members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies until every Nigerian can live, work and pursue education without fear.
The parliament, also, urged the federal 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.”
It further called on all Nigerians to continue supporting the Nigeria Armed Forces and other security agencies through timely intelligence, cooperation and patriotism.
It paid glowing tribute to the memory of Lieutenant F. A. Isaac (N/20349), Private Silas Musa (23NA/84/4604), 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, and Sergeant Abena John Jerome (F/No. 234511), Nigeria Police Force, who paid the supreme sacrifice during the rescue operation.
The parliament commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his decisive leadership, strategic direction and unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.