The Nigerian Senate has recommended N200 million compensation for the family of a 2-year-old toddler killed in Delta State by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
DAILY POST reports that NDLEA on July 13, 2023, accidentally shot a toddler, Ivan Onosereba Omhonria dead while raiding an alleged notorious drug joint in Delta State.
The two-year-old boy was shot with a stray bullet alongside his younger brother, Eronmosele at their mother’s shop at Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area.
The bullet shot by one of the operatives hit Onose’s abdomen and brushed Eromonsele’s eye, leading to Ivan’s death.
Reacting to the incident, the senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko in July 2023 submitted a petition on behalf of the bereaved family.
The petition was later forwarded to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for investigation headed by senator Neda Imasuen.
However, presenting the committee’s findings during Thursday plenary, Senator Neda Imasuen who explained that all parties involved have been invited for questioning, noted that the NDLEA claimed to lack the financial capacity to sponsor Eromonsele’s eye treatment abroad.
Senator Neda Imasuen, however, recommended that the NDLEA should take full financial responsibility for Eromonsele’s medical treatment, preferably abroad, to restore his sight, while the federal government, through presidential approval, should compensate the family with N200 million.
While condemning the incident, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, put the recommendations to a voice vote, which received overwhelming support from the lawmakers.
