…demands justice, foreign medical treatment for injured sibling
In a deeply emotional session on Thursday, the Nigerian Senate called on President Bola Tinubu to support, on compassionate grounds, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in paying ₦200 million compensation to the family of two-year-old Ivan Omhonrina, who was tragically killed by a stray bullet during an NDLEA operation in Asaba, Delta State in July 2023.
The Upper Chamber also demanded that the NDLEA continue to fund full medical care—including potential overseas treatment—for Ivan’s younger sibling, Eromonsele, who sustained a severe eye injury in the same incident.
These resolutions followed the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (APC, Edo South). The report, which was adopted at plenary, painted a grim picture of institutional lapses and the need for accountability in law enforcement.
“No amount of money can compensate for the life of a child. Uniform should never be a license to kill innocent people,” Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) said during the debate.
The Senate observed a minute of silence in memory of young Ivan, describing the killing as a national tragedy that demands sober reflection and systemic reform.
Tragic Details
The incident occurred on July 13, 2023, during an NDLEA drug raid at Abacha Junction in Okpanam, Asaba. In the course of the operation, agents reportedly opened fire, and a stray bullet hit Ivan, who was returning from school with his sibling. The bullet killed the toddler instantly and seriously injured Eromonsele in one eye.
Though the NDLEA has already paid ₦25 million in initial compensation and remains in contact with the grieving family, the Senate noted that the agency lacks the capacity to fund advanced medical treatment abroad or provide sufficient financial restitution.
Doctors, according to the report, remain uncertain about the long-term prognosis for the injured child’s vision.
Senate’s Demands
The Senate’s key resolutions include:
Presidential support for the NDLEA to pay ₦200 million in compensation to Ivan’s family.
Full sponsorship of Eromonsele’s medical care, including treatment in a reputable international hospital.
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Urgent prosecution of the NDLEA officer who fired the fatal shot, with oversight from the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
Monitoring by the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation of the resolutions within six weeks.
Akpabio, Senators React
Senate President Godswill Akpabio extended condolences on behalf of the Senate, saying:
“Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased child and the injured sibling. This is a tragic reminder of the need for accountability in law enforcement operations.”
Senator Imasuen stressed that the aim was not to demonize the NDLEA but to demand justice, institutional reform, and meaningful support for victims of state action.
Broader Implications
This case, which drew nationwide outrage and condemnation, has become emblematic of broader concerns about impunity and human rights violations by security operatives. Civil society groups and legal experts continue to call for tighter rules of engagement and higher standards for compensation in cases of wrongful state violence.
The Senate’s intervention marks a renewed push for victims-centered justice and greater executive accountability, especially in the context of the Tinubu administration’s human rights posture.
As the chamber awaits implementation, many will be watching to see if this case leads to meaningful reform—or remains another grim statistic in Nigeria’s checkered record of state violence.