The family of Lieutenant Felix Ademe Isaac, the Nigerian Army officer who died during a rescue operation that freed abducted teachers and pupils in Oyo State, has described his death as a devastating loss, saying he was the hope of both the family and the community.
The 28-year-old officer was killed on July 10, 2026, while leading troops during the operation that secured the release of teachers and pupils kidnapped from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The victims had been abducted on May 15, 2026, from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School before being taken into the forest.
Conflicting reports have emerged over the circumstances of his death. While some accounts claimed his convoy hit explosives planted in the Oyo National Park area, others alleged he stepped on a landmine believed to have been planted by Ansaru fighters, the group linked to the abduction.
Lt. Isaac, who was born on August 25, 1997, was buried with full military honours at the 23rd Armoured Brigade Cemetery in Yola, Adamawa State.
Speaking during a visit to the family’s residence in Bachure Quarters, Yola, his father, retired Master Warrant Officer Isaac Alabura, described the late officer as a promising soldier whose life was cut short just as he was expected to attain greater heights in the military.
“It is natural to feel pain whenever you lose someone, even if it is an enemy. How much more a 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 expressed disappointment that the family was not officially informed of the circumstances surrounding his son’s death by either the military authorities or the Oyo State Government.
He, however, appreciated serving and retired senior military officers who facilitated the release of his son’s remains and ensured they were transported to Yola for burial.
According to him, Lt. Isaac had just completed training at the Nigerian Defence Academy in Jaji, Kaduna State, and was preparing to proceed to Sokoto for another assignment before he was redirected to lead the rescue mission.
“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 p.m., he was instead directed to lead the rescue operation in Oyo,” he added.
The bereaved father appealed to the Nigerian Army and the Oyo State Government to support the family, noting that the officer paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.
Lt. Isaac’s cousin, Tidwawa Nelson Eweh, also described him as calm, intelligent and hardworking, saying his dream of contributing to national security had been cut short.
“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.
Eweh called on the military authorities and the Oyo State Government to immortalise the late officer in recognition of his sacrifice.
The Nigerian Army, in a statement after the operation, confirmed that security personnel recorded casualties during the mission but noted that the operation was carefully executed to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted teachers and pupils without collateral damage.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde also paid tribute to the security personnel involved in the operation, expressing gratitude for the successful rescue of the victims and praying for the repose of the officers who lost their lives while carrying out the mission.
The rescue operation was led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife, with the participation of security personnel drawn from more than 10 agencies.
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