Delta Gov Visits Family Over NDLEA Shooting In Asaba Leading To 2-Year-Old Child’s Death

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has visited the family of late Ivan Omorhiakogbe, a 2-year-old child who was shot dead in a manner said to be stray bullets allegedly fired by men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

NDLEA in a statement had said the death of Ivan Omorhiakogbe and the injuring of his sibling occurred when NDLEA officials tried to demobilize a suspected Illicit-drug dealer in Asaba, the Delta State capital who knocked down one of the security operatives with a vehicle and zoomed off.

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori who visited the hospital where one of the gun shooting victims was receiving treatment, said, he demanded thorough investigation into the shooting incident to be carried out by both the Police and NDLEA Commands in Delta State.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said in quote: “As part of my commitment to the wellbeing of Deltans, I expressed my condolences to the family of the late Ivan Omorhiakogbe, who tragically lost his life due to stray bullets fired by officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Asaba. I visited the family toffer my heartfelt sympathies.

“During the visit, I also wished a speedy recovery to Eromonsele, the one-year-old sibling of the late Ivan who was injured in the incident. I emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation into this unfortunate event by both the police and the NDLEA high command.

“Furthermore, I assured the Delta State Government’s commitment to covering the cost of Eromonsele’s medical treatment. I would like to commend the dedicated and committed health workers at FMC for their exceptional work during this difficult time”.

It was gathered that the 2-year-old Ivan, died after being hit in his lower abdomen, by stray bullets alleged to have been shot by NDLEA men on duty. He died in FMC Asaba while being operated on.

His younger brother, the victim visited by the governor was hit in one of his eyes, as the bullets pierced through the building and hit the children while inside the room.

“According to the father who spoke with newsmen, the men of NDLEA were alleged to be pursuing some guys who they said were into drugs and shot sporadically in the process.

“Onose, who was picked up from school yesterday by his parents became a victim of this unfortunate mess.

“The bullet pierced through his lower abdomen. He was rushed to FMC and was handled by the medical team with the support of one of the school’s parents Dr Yusuf. He was taken for emergency surgery Unfortunately, he didn’t make it. This is heartbroken!!! I’m so pained.

“The bullet also hit his younger brother in one of his eyes. Surgery has been done and he is stable to the glory of God!

“We call on the authorities of the said body to get into investigations and unravel circumstances that led to the death of this young boy and injury to his younger brother”, human rights activist stated in quote as reported by Punch Newspaper.

Delta State public relations officer, DSP Bright Edafe had said the security operatives involved will appear before the Commissioner of Police on Monday. But the outcome of the CP meeting with the NDLEA officials is yet to be disclosed. Bright Edafe had said: “The command is aware of this sad and unfortunate incident. The case has been transferred to SCID Asaba, and all parties involved will appear before the CP on Monday. Our heartfelt condolences to the family of the little child”.

NDLEA on Saturday said it had started investigating the shooting incident involving its officers in Delta State that led to the death of the young boy.

NDLEA statement reads in quote: “The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has said that it is investigating a shooting incident involving its officers during the raid of a drug joint at Okpanam area of Asaba, Delta state, where unfortunately a young person was hit by a stray bullet as a result of which he eventually died while undergoing treatment in the hospital.

“The Agency in a statement on Saturday 15th July said the Chairman/Chief Executive, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired) has after receiving initial briefings from the Delta state command of NDLEA, 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 follows initial incident report, which reveals 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 16:00 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 to demobilize 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)”, Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy,
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja stated.