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The Senate has disclosed the identities of three security personnel killed and another injured during the military operation that secured the release of abducted pupils and teachers held captive by terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The upper chamber also urged the Federal Government to sustain its offensive against terrorists, kidnappers and bandits across the country while ensuring prompt payment of death benefits, pensions, insurance claims and other entitlements to the families of fallen security personnel.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and co-sponsored by 108 other senators during Tuesday's plenary, according to a statement issued by the Office of the Senate Leader.
The Senate commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as his decisive leadership and commitment to strengthening Nigeria's security architecture, following the successful rescue of the victims after spending 56 days in captivity.
Leading the debate, Bamidele recalled that terrorists abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the attack as a disturbing expansion of organised criminal activities into the South-West and a direct assault on the right of children to education in a safe environment.
He said President Tinubu immediately directed the Armed Forces and other security agencies to deploy all available resources to secure the unconditional release of the victims, leading to an intelligence-driven operation that lasted more than 50 days.
According to him, the operation, which culminated in the victims' rescue on July 10, also resulted in the arrest of eight suspected terrorists, while several others were neutralised.
Bamidele identified the fallen security personnel as Lieutenant F. A. Isaac (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 81 Battalion sustained injuries during the operation and is receiving treatment.
The Senate Leader also disclosed that one of the abducted teachers died while in captivity, describing the successful rescue of the remaining victims as a significant achievement despite the tragic loss.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Fatai Buhari, who seconded the motion, described the day of the abduction as a "Black Friday" for his senatorial district and said the victims endured 56 days of hardship before regaining their freedom.
He revealed that he visited the rescued pupils and teachers at the hospital shortly after their release, noting that although some were initially in critical condition, they responded quickly to medical treatment.
Adopting the motion, the Senate called on the Federal Government to intensify military and intelligence operations against criminal groups by providing modern equipment, advanced surveillance technology, improved logistics and enhanced welfare packages for security personnel.
The lawmakers also urged Nigerians to support security agencies with timely intelligence and cooperation, while paying tribute to the fallen personnel whose sacrifices made the successful rescue operation possible.
