Justice has finally begun to take shape for Ivan Onose Omhonrina, the two-year-old boy who was tragically killed by a stray bullet during a drug raid in Delta State last year. In a significant move, the Nigerian Senate has recommended the payment of ₦200 million in compensation to his grieving family.
The heart-wrenching incident occurred on 13 July 2023, when operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) stormed a suspected drug hotspot in Okpanam, located in the Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
During the chaotic operation, a stray bullet allegedly fired by an NDLEA officer struck Ivan in the abdomen while he was in a nearby shop owned by his mother. His younger brother, Eromonsele, was also injured, sustaining an eye injury.
Both children were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) for emergency treatment, but tragically, Ivan could not be saved. The incident sparked widespread outrage and grief across Delta State and beyond, igniting calls for accountability and justice.
The family’s calls went largely unanswered until Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, took up their cause. Determined to ensure justice was served, Senator Nwoko submitted a formal petition to the Senate on behalf of the Omhonrina family and followed the matter through all legislative processes.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, subsequently took up the case. Following a thorough investigation and deliberation, the committee submitted its report to the Senate for consideration.
During Thursday’s plenary session, senators paid tribute to Ivan by observing a minute of silence in his honour. They then unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendation that the NDLEA pay ₦200 million in compensation to the family for their devastating loss and the trauma endured.
Senator Nwoko expressed relief that justice was finally being served, stating that no amount of money could ever replace the life of a child, but the gesture by the Senate was an important step towards accountability and healing.
The resolution marks a rare moment of institutional response in a country where cases of collateral damage during security operations often go unresolved. For the Omhonrina family, the Senate’s decision brings a measure of closure after a year of pain, advocacy, and perseverance.
As the nation continues to grapple with issues of security, human rights, and the conduct of enforcement agencies, the case of Ivan Onose Omhonrina stands as a solemn reminder of the need for greater oversight and protection of innocent lives.
