Go after other bandits, terrorists nationwide, Senate tells FG

The Senate on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to sustain and intensify military and intelligence operations against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements across the country, following the successful rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.

The upper chamber also called on the Federal Government to immediately pay statutory death benefits, insurance claims, pensions and other entitlements due to the families of security personnel who lost their lives during the rescue operation, while strengthening the welfare, training, equipment and operational capacity of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and co-sponsored by 108 other senators, who commended President Bola Tinubu for what they described as his decisive leadership and unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.

Leading the debate, Bamidele recalled that terrorists abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, plunging the victims, their families and the nation into weeks of anxiety and uncertainty.

He described the attack as a disturbing expansion of organised criminal activities into the South-West and a direct assault on every child’s right to education in a safe environment.

According to him, President Tinubu immediately directed the Armed Forces and other security and intelligence agencies to deploy every lawful resource to secure the unconditional release of the victims.

Bamidele said the intelligence-led operation, which lasted more than 50 days, culminated in the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers on July 10, the arrest of eight suspected terrorists and the neutralisation of several others.

He, however, noted that the operation came at a heavy cost, as Lieutenant F.A. Isaac, Private Silas Musa and Sergeant Abena John Jerome paid the supreme sacrifice, while Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain sustained injuries during the mission.

Despite the death of one of the abducted teachers in captivity, Bamidele described the operation as a major victory that restored hope and confidence among Nigerians and demonstrated the Federal Government’s resolve to deny terrorists safe haven anywhere in the country.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Fatai Buhari described the day of the abduction as a “Black Friday” for his senatorial district, recalling that the victims endured 56 days of agony before their rescue.

He disclosed that although some of the rescued pupils were placed on oxygen and intravenous drips upon arrival at the hospital, they showed remarkable improvement within 24 hours.

In its resolutions, the Senate urged the Federal Government to sustain military pressure on terrorists through the deployment of modern equipment, advanced surveillance technology, enhanced intelligence gathering, improved logistics and better welfare packages for security personnel until Nigerians can live, work and attend school without fear.

The lawmakers also called on Nigerians to continue supporting the Armed Forces and other security agencies by providing timely intelligence and cooperating with security authorities.

The Senate observed a minute’s silence in honour of the fallen personnel and commended President Tinubu for his leadership in the rescue operation and his administration’s efforts to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.