The identities of the brave security operatives who paid the supreme price during the intense 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 sheds light on the heavy human cost of the successful rescue mission, which also left another soldier wounded. Despite the tragic losses, the operation resulted in the safe return of most of the hostages and the arrest of suspected terrorists.
The fallen personnel have been identified as:
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Lieutenant F. A. Isaac (Nigerian Army)
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Private Silas Musa (81 Battalion, Nigerian Army)
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Sergeant Abena John Jerome (Nigeria Police Force)
Also caught in the crossfire was Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain of the 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, who fortunately survived after sustaining injuries during the tactical operation.
The names were officially unveiled by the Senate while lawmakers paid tribute to the security personnel whose actions made the successful rescue possible.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele stated that the rescue followed an intelligence-driven operation launched after President Bola Tinubu directed security agencies to mobilise all available resources to secure the unconditional release of the victims.
According to Bamidele, the operation lasted for more than 50 days, culminating in the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers, the arrest of eight suspected terrorists, and the neutralisation of several others.
He, however, expressed deep regret over the death of one of the abducted teachers who died while still in the custody of the terrorists.
Earlier in the week, Isaac Alabura, a retired Master Warrant Officer and 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 remains completely devastated by the tragedy.
Describing his late son as the hope of the family and the community, Alabura 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, noting that neither the military authorities nor the Oyo State Government had officially briefed them on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
However, he commended four serving and retired senior military officers who 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, emphasizing 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 a calm, intelligent, and hardworking individual who lived an exemplary life and was deeply 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.
