The identities of security operatives who paid the supreme price during the military operation that ended the 56 day captivity of pupils and teachers abducted by terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, have been revealed.
The disclosure cast fresh light on the human cost of the rescue mission, which also left another soldier wounded.
This is despite ending with the safe return of most of the hostages and the arrest of suspected terrorists.
The fallen personnel were identified as:
Lieutenant F. A. Isaac of the Nigerian Army
Private Silas Musa of the 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army
Sergeant Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force.
Also caught in the crossfire was Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain of the 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, who survived after sustaining injuries during the operation.
The names were unveiled by the Senate while paying tribute to the security personnel whose actions, lawmakers said, made the successful rescue possible.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the rescue followed an intelligence driven operation launched after President Bola Tinubu directed security agencies to mobilise available resources to secure the unconditional release of the victims.
According to him, the operation, which lasted for more than 50 days, culminated in the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers, the arrest of eight suspected terrorists and the neutralisation of several others.
He, however, regretted the death of one of the abducted teachers while still in the custody of the terrorists.
Earlier in the week, Isaac Alabura, father of Lt. Felix Ademe Isaac, one of the slain personnel, told Daily Trust at his residence in Bachure Quarters, Yola, Adamawa State, that the family remained devastated by the tragedy.
Describing his late son as “the hope of the family and the community,” Alabura, a retired Master Warrant Officer, said said they had looked forward to seeing him rise through the military ranks before his life was cut short.
“It is natural to feel pain whenever you lose someone, even if it is an enemy. How much more brilliant, young officer whom our family and community looked up to? His life was cut short at a time we expected him to achieve greater things,” he said.
Alabura also expressed disappointment over how news of his son’s death reached the family, saying neither the military authorities nor the Oyo State Government had officially briefed them on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He, however, commended four serving and retired senior military officers who, according to him, ensured that his son’s body was released and brought to Yola for burial despite attempts by some persons to have him buried in Oyo State.
“His death is deeply painful. He had just returned from training at the Nigerian Defence Academy in Jaji, Kaduna, and was preparing to report to Sokoto for another assignment. Around 3:00 p.m., he was instead directed to lead the rescue operation in Oyo,” he said.
He appealed to the military authorities and the Oyo State Government to support the family, noting that the late officer paid the ultimate price in service to the nation.
Also speaking, the deceased’s cousin, Tidwawa Nelson Eweh, described Lt. Isaac as calm, intelligent and hardworking.
He said the officer had lived an exemplary life and was committed to serving Nigeria.
“When he decided to join the Nigerian Army, we all believed he would rise through the ranks and contribute to improving the country’s security. Sadly, that dream has been cut short.
“We have lost a beloved family member, and Nigeria has also lost a promising officer who still had so much to offer,” he said.
(Daily Trust)
