Ivan Omhonrina: 72 Hours After NDLEA Prompt Action, Presidency Issues Statement on Delta Incident

Ivan Omhonrina: 72 Hours After NDLEA Prompt Action, Presidency Issues Statement on Delta Incident

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of 2-year-old Ivan Omhonrina killed by a stray bullet during an operation by officers of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The President also rebuked the NDLEA and recommended the officers for punishment even though facts emerging from the incident indicate that the officers were on duty to apprehend notorious drug peddlers who attacked them.

The NDLEA officers only pulled the trigger to stop one of the drug dealers from escaping before the child was hit with a stray bullet.

“I mourn the death of little Ivan Omhonrina and sympathise with his parents for the painful experience of losing an innocent child in a most tragic manner.

“Ivan did not deserve to die that way. We must ensure the incident did not end like that and that what happened to Ivan does not happen to any other person again.

“I also pray for the quick recovery of Eronmonsele, who was reportedly injured in that unfortunate event.

“That incident is unacceptable. We must unravel those who foisted agony on the Omhonrinas and ensure they are brought to justice,” President Tinubu was quoted in statement my his spokesman, Dele Alake.

The President directed the NDLEA management to speedily and thoroughly investigate the incident with a view to punishing those found culpable.

The President charged security agents to be more professional and careful when conducting their operations to avoid risking the lives of innocent Nigerians.

PRNIGERIA however reports that the above statement is coming 72 hours after the NDLEA had issued a statement on the incident and announced a series of measures taken to address the unfortunate occurrence.

The NDLEA had in a statement signed by its spokesman, Femi Babafemi, last Saturday, said the Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) had after receiving initial briefings from the Delta state command of agency, set up a panel of top officials from the national headquarters in Abuja to immediately proceed to Asaba for an on the spot investigation of the unfortunate incident with a view to establishing the actual facts of the case.

This statement followed an initial incident report, which revealed the following:

“A team of NDLEA operatives carried out an intelligence-based raid of the joint of a notorious drug dealer located at Okpanam area of Asaba at about 1600 hours on Thursday 13th July and in the process of the operation, a Toyota Camry 2008 model, light blue colour at the scene suddenly zoomed off and knocked down one of our officers who is currently in critical condition, undergoing treatment in a hospital.

“In a bid demobilise the car and prevent it from escaping, another officer fired a shot aimed at the tyre of the car, which eventually escaped. While the injured officer was rushed for treatment, the officers got reports of a stray bullet hitting a young person and immediately located the father of the victim, followed him to the hospital and supported in facilitating his treatment but unfortunately died in the process.

“We’re in touch with the family to provide necessary assistance while we conclude our investigation of the incident. We will like to assure the family and members of the public that we’ll get to the root of the case and take necessary action(s).”

In what looks like a coordinated plan to undo the NDLEA, the House of Representatives also on Tuesday asked the acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to take over the case of NDLEA officers involved in the alleged killing of the toddler.

The resolution was a sequel to a motion moved by Unyime Idem (PDP, Akwa-Ibom) during plenary.

Speaking before putting the motion to vote, the Deputy Speaker, Ben Kalu, who presided over the session, said there is a need for security agencies to adopt body cameras to provide more transparency.

The motion was subsequently taken unanimously when it was put to vote by Mr Kalu.

By PRNigeria