After Oyo Rescue, Senate Demands Stronger Nationwide Anti-Terror Push

The leadership of the Nigerian Senate, in a session held on Tuesday, called upon the federal government to maintain and escalate its ongoing military and intelligence operations targeting terrorists, kidnappers, bandits, and other criminal elements across the country. This appeal comes on the heels of the successful rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Furthermore, the parliament urged the federal government to ensure the prompt disbursement of all statutory death benefits, insurance claims, pensions, and other welfare entitlements to the families of fallen heroes. They also stressed the importance of continuously enhancing the welfare, training, equipment, and operational capabilities of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

These resolutions were adopted by the Senate following the rescue of the students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, last Friday. The victims had endured 57 days in captivity before their release. The Senate's decision was reached after considering a motion jointly sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and 108 other senators. The motion specifically commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decisive leadership, strategic direction, and unwavering commitment to bolstering Nigeria's security architecture.

During the debate on the motion, Senator Bamidele recounted the harrowing incident where terrorists invaded schools in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers. This act, he noted, subjected innocent children, educators, parents, and the entire nation to profound fear, anguish, and emotional trauma. Bamidele highlighted that this abduction signaled a troubling expansion of organized criminal activities into the South-West region, constituting a direct assault on every child's right to education in a safe and secure environment.

According to Senator Bamidele, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu promptly mobilized the Armed Forces and all security and intelligence agencies following reports of the attack, instructing them to deploy every lawful military asset for the unconditional release of the victims. He further elaborated that the Nigerian Armed Forces, in a concerted effort, worked closely with intelligence and other security agencies to execute a meticulous, intelligence-driven, and highly coordinated rescue operation that spanned over fifty days.

Bamidele detailed the rescue operation, stating that security forces successfully freed the abducted school children and teachers on Friday, July 10. This operation brought an end to 56 days of uncertainty for the victims and their families. The mission also led to the arrest of eight terrorists and the neutralization of several others. Tragically, the military campaign resulted in the ultimate sacrifice of Lieutenant F. A. Isaac (N/20349) of the Nigerian Army, Private Silas Musa (23NA/84/4604) of the 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, and Sergeant Abena John Jerome (F/No. 234511) of the Nigeria Police Force. Additionally, Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain (16NA/75/6430) from the 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, sustained injuries while bravely defending the lives of the innocent school children and their teachers.

The Senate Leader remarked, “Although two of the abducted teachers (Michael and Dacon) sadly lost his life during the period of captivity, the successful rescue of the remaining victims without further tragic consequences remained 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.”

Senator Fatai Buhari, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, seconded the motion, describing the abduction day as a “Black Friday” in his senatorial district, marking 56 days of agony until the victims' rescue. Buhari shared that he visited the rescued pupils and teachers at the hospital on the day of their release, noting that one child was on oxygen and others on drips, but remarkably, all were on their feet within 24 hours.

Senator Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central) also lauded the Armed Forces for the successful operation but implored them not to cease their efforts until other abducted children still held captive in parts of Borno and Yobe States are freed. “What the Armed Forces did is commendable. There are other children still in captivity in Borno and Yobe. I want the Armed Forces to ensure those children also regain their freedom,” he stated.

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, however, criticized Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction. Oshiomhole contended that such a move could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and diminish the accomplishments of local security institutions. He emphasized that this period called for national unity and support for the country’s security agencies, rather than actions that could politicize the rescue operation. Oshiomhole asserted, “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.”

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) urged the government to complement the rescue efforts with comprehensive psychological support, trauma counseling, and rehabilitation programs for the rescued pupils and teachers to aid their recovery from the ordeal.

Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, commended President Tinubu’s dedication to tackling insecurity, assuring him of the National Assembly’s continued support for measures aimed at restoring peace nationwide. “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 affirmed.

In its final resolution, the Senate reiterated its call for the federal government to sustain and intensify ongoing military and intelligence operations against criminal elements across the federation. This includes providing modern equipment, advanced surveillance technology, intelligence capabilities, improved logistics, and enhanced welfare packages for security personnel, until all Nigerians can live, work, and pursue education without fear. The parliament also urged the federal government to ensure the prompt payment of benefits to fallen heroes' families and to continue strengthening security agencies' capacity.

It further called on all Nigerians to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies through timely intelligence, cooperation, and patriotism. The Senate paid glowing tribute to the memory of Lieutenant F. A. Isaac, Private Silas Musa, and Sergeant Abena John Jerome, who made the supreme sacrifice during the rescue operation. The parliament commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his decisive leadership and commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies through intelligence sharing and cooperation, stressing that defeating terrorism and banditry requires a collective national effort.