81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, sustained injuries in the course of the operation
The leader of the senate said: “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.”
Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Fatai Buhari, seconded the motion, describing the day of the abduction as “Black Friday” in his senatorial district, saying it had been 56 days of agony until the victims were rescued.
Buhari observed that he was at the hospital to see the rescued pupils and teachers on the day the children and teachers were rescued, saying one of the children was on oxygen while others were on drips, but within 24 hours, all of them were already on their feet.
Senator Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central) also praised the Armed Forces for the successful operation but urged them not to relent until other abducted children still being held in parts of Borno and Yobe States regained their freedom.
“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 said.
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, faulted Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction.
He argued that such a move could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and diminish the achievements of local security institutions.
Oshiomhole said the period called for national unity and support for the country’s security agencies rather than actions capable of politicising the rescue operation.
“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,” Oshiomhole said.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) urged the government to complement the rescue effort with comprehensive psychological support, trauma counselling and rehabilitation programmes for the rescued pupils and teachers to help them recover from their ordeal.
Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, commended President Tinubu for his commitment to tackling insecurity, assuring him that the National Assembly would continue to support measures aimed at restoring peace across the country.
“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 said.
In its resolution, the Senate urged the federal government to sustain and intensify ongoing military and intelligence operations against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements across the federation through the provision of modern equipment, advanced surveillance technology, intelligence capabilities, improved logistics and enhanced welfare packages for members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies until every Nigerian could live, work and pursue education without fear. Africans& Diaspora
The parliament also urged the federal government “to ensure the prompt payment of all statutory death benefits, insurance claims, pensions and other welfare entitlements due to the families of the fallen heroes, and to continue strengthening the welfare, training, equipment and operational capacity of members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.”
It further called on all Nigerians to continue supporting the Nigeria Armed Forces and other security agencies through timely intelligence, cooperation and patriotism.
It paid glowing tribute to the memory of Lieutenant F. A. Isaac (N/20349), Private Silas Musa (23NA/84/4604), 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, and Sergeant Abena John Jerome (F/No. 234511), Nigeria Police Force, who paid the supreme sacrifice during the rescue operation.
whose services were rendered in deeds and not in words.
“His leadership is defined by action and results. Nigerians wanted to see the safe return of those innocent children and, today, they have been rescued through the strategic efforts of our security agencies under the President’s leadership. That is what matters.”
He commended the President’s strategic leadership that culminated in the successful rescue of the abducted Oriire pupils and teachers, saying the President is a leader who backs his promises with decisive action.
The SGF said the successful rescue operation underscored the administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians through well-coordinated security operations rather than public grandstanding.
According to him, the federal government has adopted a deliberate and intelligence-driven approach to combating insecurity, stressing that terrorism and kidnapping required carefully planned security operations rather than political rhetoric.
LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Discharges 31 Rescued Pupils, Retains Eight as One Develops Heart Defect
The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, has discharged 31 of the 39 pupils rescued from the captivity of terrorists, after certifying them medically fit to return to their families.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Prof. Olawale Olakulehin, made the disclosure in a statement yesterday, explaining that while the majority of the children had recovered sufficiently to be discharged, eight others would remain under close medical observation and treatment to ensure their complete recovery.
He revealed that comprehensive medical examinations carried out on the rescued pupils led to the discovery of a congenital heart defect in one of them.
According to him, the child’s parents were unaware of the medical condition before the hospital’s assessment.
“The child has a hole in the heart, which was discovered during our medical evaluation. There is no cause for alarm because the child is stable and responding well.
“We have commenced the necessary medical procedures and will formally notify the Oyo State Government to facilitate the next phase of treatment,” he said.
He explained that the discharge of the 31 pupils represented another important milestone in the rehabilitation process of the rescued victims, adding that the remaining eight children would continue to receive specialist medical care until certified fit to return home.
The CMD reassured parents and members of the public that the welfare of the rescued children remained the hospital’s foremost priority, stressing that medical experts would continue to monitor both their physical and psychological well-being as part of a comprehensive post-rescue recovery programme.
Credit: This Day