The parents of a two-year-old boy, Ivan Omhonria, who was tragically killed by a stray bullet fired by operatives of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during a raid in Asaba, Delta State, have demanded N2 billion as compensation. The incident, which occurred on July 13, 2023, also left Ivan’s brother, Eromonsele, with a severe eye injury.
The boy’s father, Fidelis Omhonria, made this demand during a hearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions. He appeared alongside his wife and injured son, expressing deep frustration and grief over the agency’s lack of support since the tragic event. “The NDLEA has abandoned us,” Fidelis lamented, adding that his surviving son’s health has been deteriorating without proper medical care.
Fidelis also denied the existence of an agreement with the NDLEA for a N25 million compensation, countering claims made by the agency. He clarified that he had only received a personal gesture of N5 million from the NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), after the incident. “I was shocked to hear about an agreement just now. I’m not a party to any contract,” he said, explaining that the NDLEA chairman called him to express regret over the incident and mentioned sending a token to assist with his son’s medical care.
Conflicting Claims Over Compensation
During the hearing, NDLEA’s legal representative, Muniat Adeleye, told the committee that an agreement had been reached for a N25 million settlement, which would be paid in five monthly installments. She claimed that the first installment of N5 million had already been transferred to the family. “We did not expect this petition because we believed the matter had been resolved,” Adeleye stated.
However, when the committee requested proof of the agreement, Adeleye admitted that the agreement had not yet been signed, which the panel found unacceptable. As a result, the committee demanded that NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Marwa, appear in person at the next hearing to address the issue.
Family Seeks Justice and Accountability
The family’s lawyer, Mathew Edaghese, emphasized their demand for N2 billion as compensation for the loss of life and the lasting damage to the surviving child. He accused the NDLEA of neglecting their responsibilities and failing to respond to the family’s earlier demand for compensation. “They ignored it with so much arrogance,” Edaghese said. He appealed to the committee, stating, “We want this house to compel the NDLEA to be responsive and responsible enough as a corporate agency to do what is obtainable on the best international standard practice.”
The lawyer also highlighted the emotional toll the incident has taken on the family. “A life was lost, cut short. Another destiny is being damaged because of the eye injury. The child was just one year old when this incident happened, and they have been struggling with the consequences ever since,” he explained.
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Committee Demands NDLEA Accountability
The Chairman of the House Committee, Mike Etaba, underscored the gravity of the situation, stressing that the entire nation and the international community are closely watching the proceedings. He insisted that the NDLEA Chairman must personally attend the next hearing. “This matter is too severe for anybody to represent him. We want the NDLEA head and boss to appear in person and explain to Nigerians,” Etaba stated.
He further expressed empathy for the family, urging the NDLEA to acknowledge the suffering of the victims. “Look at that child with one eye, and you are a mother. All of us are fathers. Nobody would be alive to see his or her child with this kind of condition,” he said, addressing the NDLEA representative directly. He clarified that the N5 million sent to the family was only a token for immediate medical needs, not a part of a formal agreement.
The committee’s insistence on a direct appearance by the NDLEA Chairman signals a critical step in seeking justice for the family. As the next hearing approaches, all eyes remain on how the NDLEA will address the family’s demand for accountability and adequate compensation for the tragic loss of their child.