Lawmakers at the Nigerian Senate have called on the Federal Government to immediately approve a N200 million compensation package for the grieving family of Ivan Onosereba Omhonria, a two-year-old toddler tragically killed by a stray bullet from NDLEA operatives in Delta State. The incident occurred on July 13, 2023, during a botched raid at a suspected drug joint in Okpanam, Oshimili North LGA.
Ivan was reportedly hit in the abdomen while sitting at his mother’s shop. His younger brother, Eronmosele, also sustained severe eye injuries when the same bullet grazed his face. The heart-wrenching tragedy sent shockwaves across the state, triggering public outrage and demands for justice. Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, submitted a formal petition to the Senate shortly after the incident on behalf of the bereaved family.
Following months of investigation, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions led by Senator Neda Imasuen presented its findings on July 11, 2025. The NDLEA admitted to the accidental shooting but claimed it lacked the financial resources to fund Eronmosele’s urgent eye surgery abroad. The committee, however, dismissed the excuse, insisting that the agency bears full financial responsibility for restoring the boy’s vision.
Senator Imasuen emphasized that the trauma endured by the family demands not just accountability but compensation that reflects the severity of the loss. He urged President Tinubu to act swiftly in approving the N200 million compensation and ensuring the NDLEA provides the best medical treatment possible for Eronmosele.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio condemned the tragedy in strong terms and expressed the upper chamber’s solidarity with the victims. During plenary, he put the committee’s recommendation to a voice vote, which received unanimous backing from senators across party lines.
The petition and Senate debate have reignited concerns about NDLEA’s engagement protocols in civilian-populated areas. Civil rights groups are already demanding urgent reforms in the agency’s operational guidelines, warning that such incidents could erode public trust if left unchecked.
As of July 2025, the Omhonria family awaits not just financial compensation but the restoration of their son’s eyesight and a decisive shift in how Nigeria’s drug enforcement agency handles high-risk operations in residential communities.
