"He was our hope" – Father mourns 28-year-old lieutenant k!lled in Oyo rescue operation

Isaac Alabura, father of Lt. Felix Ademe Isaac, the 28-year-old Nigerian Army officer who d!ed during an operation to rescue abducted teachers and pupils in Oyo State, said his family is yet to recover from the painful loss.

The young officer was k!lled while leading troops during the early days of the rescue operation.

While some reports said his convoy struck explosives planted by terrorists in the National Park area of Oyo State, others claimed he stepped on a landmine allegedly planted by Ansaru fighters, who were identified as the group behind the abduction.

Born on August 25, 1997, Lt. Isaac was buried with full military honours at the 23rd Armoured Brigade Cemetery in Yola, Adamawa State, on July 10, 2026.

Speaking to Daily Trust at his residence in Bachure Quarters, Yola, on Sunday, July 12, his father, a retired Master Warrant Officer, said the family remained 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 d3ath 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 d3ath 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.

Eweh urged the military authorities and the Oyo State Government to remember the officer’s family, noting that he is survived by his retired military father, his mother, a brother and a sister.

He also called for the late officer to be immortalised in recognition of the sacrifice he made in the line of duty.

Lt. Felix Ademe Isaac hailed from Kola ward in Guyuk Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The Nigerian Army disclosed that there were some casualties on the part of the security forces during the rescue operation.