ABUJA — The Senate on Tuesday honoured security personnel who lost their lives during the operation that rescued abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State, while asking Governor Seyi Makinde to withdraw his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and rescue.
The upper chamber praised President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces and intelligence agencies for securing the release of the victims after 56 days in captivity, describing the operation as a significant breakthrough in the country’s fight against terrorism and kidnapping.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and co-sponsored by 108 senators during plenary.
Leading the debate, Bamidele recalled that terrorists abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, leaving families and communities in anguish before the security agencies successfully rescued them.
He commended President Tinubu for what he described as decisive leadership and sustained efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, saying the successful operation reflected improved collaboration among the military, intelligence services and other security agencies.
The Senate also paid tribute to security personnel who died during the rescue mission, observing a minute’s silence in their honour. Lawmakers called on the Federal Government to ensure the prompt payment of death benefits, pensions, insurance claims and other entitlements to the families of the fallen officers.
In addition, senators urged the government to sustain military and intelligence operations against terrorists, kidnappers and bandits through better equipment, improved surveillance technology, stronger intelligence gathering, enhanced logistics and improved welfare for security personnel.
The debate also focused on Governor Makinde’s recent call for a United Nations and international human rights investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abduction and rescue of the schoolchildren.
Makinde had argued that an independent investigation would help establish the facts, reinforce public confidence and ensure accountability where necessary.
However, Senator Adams Oshiomhole described the request as unnecessary and “not statesmanly,” arguing that it risked diminishing the sacrifices made by Nigerian security personnel who carried out the successful rescue.
Oshiomhole urged the Senate to call on the governor to withdraw the request and avoid politicising a security success that had brought relief to the victims, their families and the nation.
His prayer, seconded by Senator Aniekan Bassey, was adopted after a voice vote presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
Several lawmakers also appealed to the military to intensify efforts to rescue other schoolchildren and civilians still being held by kidnappers across the country, particularly in parts of Borno State.
Senator Abdulfatai Buhari thanked the Federal Government and the Armed Forces for securing the release of the Oyo victims, describing the operation as a source of hope for affected communities.
Senators Adamu Aliero, Tahir Monguno and Abdulaziz Yar’Adua urged the military to sustain the momentum by extending similar rescue efforts to other parts of the country where victims remain in captivity.
Senator Victor Umeh said the successful operation had renewed public confidence in the country’s security agencies, while Senator Abdul Ningi called on the National Security Adviser to sustain the inter-agency collaboration that contributed to the mission’s success.
The Senate also commended the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency and other officers who participated in the operation.
Lawmakers concluded by urging Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence while reaffirming the need for sustained investment in security operations to tackle terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across the country.
