The Senate has urged the Federal Government to sustain and intensify ongoing military and intelligence operations against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal groups across the country, following the successful rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The upper chamber also called on the government to ensure the prompt payment of statutory death benefits, insurance claims, pensions and other welfare entitlements to families of security personnel who lost their lives during the rescue operation.
The resolutions were reached on Tuesday after the Senate considered a motion on the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers, who spent over 50 days in captivity.
The motion was sponsored by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, alongside 108 other senators.
The lawmakers commended President Bola Tinubu for what they described as his decisive leadership and commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
Leading the debate, Bamidele recalled that terrorists invaded schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers, causing fear and emotional distress among the victims, their families and the wider community.
He described the incident as a disturbing expansion of organised criminal activities into the South-West, saying it represented an attack on the right of children to access education in a safe environment.
According to him, President Tinubu immediately directed the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and other security institutions to deploy resources towards securing the unconditional release of the victims.
Bamidele said the rescue operation was a coordinated, intelligence-led mission involving the military and other security agencies, which lasted for more than 50 days before the victims were freed on July 10.
He noted that the operation resulted in the arrest of eight suspected terrorists, while several others were neutralised.
The Senate Leader also disclosed that some security personnel paid the ultimate price during the mission, including Lieutenant F.A. Isaac of the Nigerian Army, Private Silas Musa of the 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, and Sergeant Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force.
He added that Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain of the Nigerian Army sustained injuries during the operation while protecting the lives of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Bamidele said the death of two teachers, identified as Michael and Dacon, while in captivity remained painful, but described the successful rescue of the remaining victims as a major national achievement.
“The successful operation has restored hope and confidence among Nigerians, particularly parents and school communities, while sending a clear message that criminal elements will not have a safe haven anywhere in Nigeria,” he said.
Senator Fatai Buhari, who seconded the motion, described the day of the abduction as a “Black Friday” for his senatorial district, saying residents endured 56 days of anguish before the victims regained freedom.
Buhari said he visited the rescued pupils and teachers at the hospital shortly after their release, noting that although some were initially placed on oxygen and others received intravenous treatment, they recovered significantly within 24 hours.
Senator Adamu Aliero also commended the Armed Forces for the successful operation but urged security agencies not to relent until other Nigerians still held captive, particularly in Borno and Yobe states, are rescued.
Meanwhile, former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction.
Oshiomhole argued that involving external bodies could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and weaken confidence in local security institutions.
He called for national unity and greater support for security agencies rather than actions that could politicise the rescue operation.
“Suggesting that external bodies such as the United Nations should take over responsibilities that rightly belong to Nigeria amounts to questioning our nation’s sovereignty and undermining the efforts of our security institutions,” Oshiomhole said.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the government to provide psychological support, trauma counselling and rehabilitation programmes for the rescued pupils and teachers to help them recover from their experience.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, commended President Tinubu’s efforts in tackling insecurity and assured him of continued legislative support.
“The President has done very well. We know the commitment he has deployed to change the trajectory of insecurity in the country. The Senate will continue to support him,” Barau said.
In its resolutions, the Senate called for improved funding, modern equipment, advanced surveillance technology, stronger intelligence gathering and better welfare packages for security personnel.
The lawmakers also urged Nigerians to support security agencies through timely information sharing, cooperation and patriotism, stressing that defeating terrorism and banditry requires collective effort.
The Senate paid tribute to the security personnel who lost their lives during the rescue operation and commended President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his leadership.
The chamber also received three executive bills seeking amendments to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the Federal Medical Centres Act and the Nigerian Correctional Service Act.
SGF Accuses Makinde Of Politicising Oriire Abduction
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his comments regarding the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
Akume accused the governor of politicising the incident, arguing that the priority should remain the safe rescue of victims rather than political disagreements.
The SGF made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with members of the Global Association of Christian and Muslim Youth for Peace and Development, led by its President, Peter Asuquo Bassey.
His comments followed Makinde’s complaint that President Bola Tinubu had not personally contacted him over the abduction and subsequent rescue of the victims.
Akume dismissed the concern, saying a phone call would not have resolved the security challenge facing the victims.
He said the government’s focus was on deploying effective strategies that ensured the safe return of those held captive.
According to him, President Tinubu had demonstrated commitment to fighting insecurity through decisive action and strategic coordination with security agencies.
Akume said terrorism and kidnapping required careful planning and intelligence-driven operations rather than public discussions.
He praised the successful rescue operation, saying it showed the administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, has discharged 31 of the 39 pupils rescued from terrorist captivity after medical evaluations confirmed they were fit to return to their families.
The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Olawale Olakulehin, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that eight pupils would remain under medical observation and continue receiving treatment until they fully recover.
Olakulehin revealed that medical examinations conducted on the rescued children uncovered a congenital heart defect in one of the pupils.
He said the child’s parents were previously unaware of the condition but assured that the child was stable and responding well to treatment.
“The child has a hole in the heart, which was discovered during our medical evaluation. There is no cause for alarm because the child is stable and responding well,” he said.
The CMD added that necessary medical procedures had commenced and the Oyo State Government would be informed to support further treatment.
He described the discharge of the 31 pupils as another milestone in the recovery process, assuring that specialists would continue monitoring the physical and psychological wellbeing of the remaining children.
Olakulehin said the hospital remained committed to ensuring that all rescued pupils receive the care required before returning fully to their normal lives.
