The family of Lieutenant Ademe Isaac, the Nigerian Army officer who was killed during the operation that rescued abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, has demanded the release of his body for burial in Adamawa State, accusing the military of refusing to hand over his remains despite repeated appeals.
The Lt. Isaac lost his life during the military operation that secured the freedom of pupils, teachers and other victims abducted by terrorists in Orire Local Government Area near Ogbomoso on July 10, 2026. While the operation was celebrated as a major breakthrough against kidnapping, it also claimed the life of the young officer.
The deceased officer’s father, retired Master Warrant Officer Alabura, disclosed the family’s ordeal during an emotional interview with the BBC, saying they remain traumatised by the loss and are now battling to secure custody of his remains.
According to the retired soldier, military authorities informed the family that Lt. Isaac would be accorded a befitting military burial but rejected their request to release his body for interment in his ancestral home in Adamawa State.
Alabura, who served in the Nigerian Army for 35 years before retiring, said the Army’s decision has deepened the family’s grief.
Recalling the moment he received the tragic news, he said he struggled to contain his emotions before informing other family members.
“When I called the family together, I couldn’t even explain what had happened because I was already in tears. It was one of the most painful moments of my life”, he said.
He explained that the commanding officer who led the rescue operation personally called to notify him that his son had been killed in action.
“I asked him to let me know what arrangements would be made and requested that my son’s body be released to the family”, he added.
According to Alabura, the officer later informed him that after consultations with senior military authorities, including the General Officer Commanding (GOC), the Army had decided not to release the body.
“He told me the GOC said they would not release the body but would instead give him a befitting military burial”, he noted.
Rejecting the decision, the bereaved father insisted that the fallen officer deserved to be buried in his hometown.
“The burial should be in Yola, not Ibadan. You cannot allow my son to die serving Nigeria and then bury him away from his family. That is unacceptable,” he said.
He noted that the family is from Gulak and Guyuk Local Government Areas of Adamawa State and believes it is only proper for Lt. Isaac to be laid to rest among his people.
The grieving father also recounted his final telephone conversation with his son shortly before the operation.
Drawing from his own military experience, Alabura said he cautioned the young officer to remain vigilant throughout the mission.
“I warned him about the operation. I advised him not to trust everyone on the frontline and to be careful in everything he did”, he said.
According to him, they last spoke at about 7:14 p.m. on the day of the operation.
“He told me they were making progress inside the forest. I never imagined that would be the last time I would hear my son’s voice. I never believed he would die in service. We are still living in shock and praying that this pain will one day become bearable”, he stated.
Alabura described his late son as disciplined, courageous and deeply committed to serving Nigeria.
He said Lt. Isaac had always aspired to become a General and dedicate his career to protecting lives and defending the country’s territorial integrity.
“He wanted to become a General. He was hardworking, diligent and determined to succeed in the Army. He had so much hope for the future, and I miss everything about him.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had not issued an official response to the family’s claim that it had refused to release Lt. Isaac’s body for burial in Adamawa State. The military has also not publicly explained the burial arrangements for the fallen officer.
The late officer, the third son in the family, was trained at the Nigerian Defence Academy before he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He was subsequently posted to the Signals Regiment of the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division in Ibadan.
