The Senate has approved a ₦50 million intervention fund for the families of five individuals who lost their lives during the military operation that secured the release of 39 abducted schoolchildren and seven teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The upper chamber described the deceased as national heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the country.

The approval came after the Senate adopted a motion commending the successful rescue mission and paying tribute to the security personnel and teachers who died after the victims had spent about 56 days in captivity.

Under the resolution, each of the five bereaved families will receive ₦10 million to support the welfare of the children and dependants left behind.

The victims 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 remained with the abducted pupils throughout their captivity before they were killed by the kidnappers.

Announcing the resolution during plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies for the successful operation, describing it as a demonstration of effective intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration.

“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 praised President Tinubu, 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 coordinating the rescue operation.

Akpabio acknowledged that while the mission ended successfully, the country paid a heavy price with the loss of three security operatives 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 the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, to coordinate the presentation of the cheques to the affected families.

The intervention followed a motion sponsored by Bamidele, who described the May 15 abduction as a disturbing expansion of organised criminal activities into Nigeria’s South-West region.

He recalled that President Tinubu immediately directed security agencies to deploy all lawful resources to rescue the victims, leading to an intelligence-driven operation that culminated in their release on July 10.

According to him, the operation resulted in the neutralisation of several members of the criminal gang and the arrest of eight suspected terrorists.

“The successful rescue has restored hope and confidence among Nigerians, particularly parents and school communities,” Bamidele said.

The Senate also urged the Federal Government to provide comprehensive medical treatment and welfare support for Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain of the 81 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, who sustained serious 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 elements through the deployment of advanced surveillance technology, modern equipment and improved intelligence capabilities.