Senate to Tinubu: approve N200m compensation for family of toddler killed in NDLEA’s raid
The Senate has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve N200 million compensation for the family of a toddler, Onosereba Omhonria, who was killed during a botched drug raid by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Delta State.
This resolution was reached yesterday following the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, which investigated the July 13, 2023, incident.
In a similar vein, the Senate also approved the dismissal of Ms. Sandra Nimi Harry, a former senior staff of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), who was found guilty of participating in a high-level examination malpractice scheme.
Employed since July 1992, Harry was sacked in July 2023 following a WAEC investigation that linked her to the fraudulent swapping of answer scripts for absentee candidates in Port Harcourt.
She was accused of assisting a colleague, Mr. Raymond Obi, in the scheme, allegedly under the instruction of another staff member, Joseph Pepple.
The toddler’s incident, which occurred at Abacha Junction, a known drug hotspot in Okpanam, Asaba, Oshimili North Local Government Area, saw a stray bullet hit the two-year-old Onosereba and left his younger brother, Eromonsele, critically injured in the eye
Presenting the report, Committee Chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen (APC – Edo South), described the case as “deeply tragic.”
He said Eromonsele’s eye injury remains severe, with doctors still uncertain about the possibility of restoring his sight.
While the NDLEA has provided N25 million to the family as interim support, the committee found that the agency lacks the resources to fund the advanced medical care the boy requires abroad.
The agency is overstretched and simply does not have the capacity to provide the level of assistance needed,” Imasuen stated.
Senate passed a resolution urging President Tinubu to authorize an additional N200 million as compensation to the Omhonria family, noting the psychological and physical trauma the incident has caused.
The chamber also mandated the NDLEA to continue funding Eromonsele’s medical treatment, including arrangements for specialized care overseas.
The Senate observed a minute of silence in memory of the late toddler and expressed solidarity with the grieving family.
A recommendation to urge the Attorney General of the Federation to prosecute the NDLEA officer involved was withdrawn after it was confirmed that the officer is already undergoing trial.
