The Senate has approved a N50 million donation to the families of three security operatives and two teachers who lost their lives during the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the donation during plenary on Tuesday in Abuja, stating that each of the five bereaved families would receive N10 million from the upper legislative chamber.
Akpabio recalled that the Senate had on Monday commended President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies for the successful rescue of the victims, who had been held captive for about 56 days.
He praised the efforts of 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 President Tinubu, whom he described as the Commander-in-Chief who led the operation.
The Senate President, however, noted that the operation came at a heavy cost, with three security personnel losing their lives while carrying out the rescue mission.
According to him, those killed included a 28-year-old Army lieutenant from Adamawa State, a police sergeant and a private soldier, while several others sustained injuries.
He said the Senate also expressed the hope that similar efforts would be extended to secure the release of Nigerians still being held captive in other parts of the country.
Akpabio said the decision to support the bereaved families followed consultations with Senate leaders.
“We are sending a token of N50 million to be shared among the five deceased families — the families of the two teachers and the families of the three security operatives who lost their lives. Each family will receive N10 million on behalf of the Senate,” he said.
He subsequently directed the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, to present the cheques to the affected families on behalf of the Senate, alongside other lawmakers.
