The senate has asked Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, to withdraw his demand for a United Nations (UN)-led investigation into the abduction and rescue of schoolchildren and teachers in Ogbomoso.
The resolution followed the adoption of a prayer by Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north, during debate on a motion commending President Bola Tinubu, the armed forces and other security agencies for rescuing the victims after 56 days in captivity.
The debate of the substantive motion sponsored by Opeyemi Bamidele, the senate leader, and 108 senators.
On Monday, Makinde called on the UN and international human rights organisations to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the pupils and teachers from educational institutions in Oriire LGA on May 15 and their subsequent rescue.
“Such scrutiny is not intended to undermine our institutions; rather, it is intended to reinforce confidence, that truth be established, and that every person found to bear responsibility, regardless of office, influence, or affiliation, would be held accountable,” Makinde said.
Oshiomhole described Makinde’s demand for UN investigation as “not statesmanly and politics taken too far”.
The former Edo governor urged the senate to call on Makinde to desist from “trivialising” the rescue operation by seeking an international investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abduction and rescue.
Aniekan Bassey, senator representing Akwa Ibom north-east, seconded Oshiomhole’s motion.
Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president, who presided over plenary, put Oshiomhole’s additional prayer to a voice vote.
The initial voice vote was inconclusive before Jibrin called for another vote, after which the “ayes” prevailed.
The senate subsequently adopted the additional prayer alongside the substantive motion commending Tinubu, the armed forces and other security agencies for the successful rescue operation.
During the debate, Abdulfatai Buhari, senator representing Oyo north, whose district includes the area where the pupils were abducted, thanked the federal government and the military for securing the victims’ release.
“We give God the glory. We thank the military for a job well done. We hope this experience will be used in other areas. On behalf of my people, we appreciate the federal government and we thank them for bringing our children back,” Buhari said.
Adamu Aliero, senator representing Kebbi central, urged the armed forces to intensify efforts to rescue other schoolchildren still being held by kidnappers.
“There are other school children still in captivity, especially in Borno state. I want our armed forces to double their efforts to ensure that other children are free,” he said.
Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, said the successful rescue had renewed public confidence in the country’s security forces.
“There is no doubt that when the news of the rescue of these children hit the airwaves, every Nigerian was very happy,” he said.
“This is the type of thing we need to be hearing. What we thought was insurmountable is now surmountable. I am very happy with this operation.
“The GOC is my constituent. He is an officer that leads from the front line. I want to identify with him and say he should keep it up.”
Tahir Monguno, senator representing Borno north, urged the military to replicate the same urgency in rescuing children still in captivity in his state.
“We have similar abductions. In my state, in Senator Ndume’s constituency, there are children still in captivity. I urge the military to show the same urgency so that they can be free from captivity,” he said.
Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, urged Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser, to sustain the inter-agency collaboration that led to the successful operation and replicate it across other security operations nationwide.
Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, senator representing Katsina central, called on the military to maintain the momentum.
“Sustain the momentum and rescue all other Nigerians that are in captivity,” he said.
The senate commended Tinubu for his “decisive” leadership and commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
The upper chamber also praised the chief of defence staff, service chiefs, national security adviser, inspector-general of police, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and other officers who participated in the rescue operation.
The lawmakers congratulated the rescued pupils, teachers and their families on the successful end of their ordeal and prayed for the repose of the teacher who died while in captivity.
The senate paid tribute to F. A. Isaac, Silas Musa and Abena John Jerome, military who were killed during the operation, and observed a minute’s silence in their honour.
The lawmakers also commended Adamu Hussain for his gallantry after he sustained injuries during the rescue mission and urged the appropriate authorities to ensure he receives the best medical treatment and all his welfare entitlements.
The senate urged the federal government to sustain and intensify military and intelligence operations against terrorists, kidnappers and bandits through improved equipment, surveillance technology, intelligence capabilities, logistics and enhanced welfare for security personnel.
The lawmakers further called for the prompt payment of death benefits, pensions, insurance claims and other entitlements due to the families of fallen security personnel.
Senators urged Nigerians to continue supporting the armed forces and other security agencies with timely intelligence and cooperation.
