The Senate has urged the federal government to assist the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to pay compensation to the family of a two-year-old boy killed by a stray bullet fired by NDLEA operatives in Asaba, Delta.

This followed the presentation of the report of the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conducts and Public Petitions at plenary on Thursday by the chairman, Neda Imasuen.

Mr Imasuen, in his report, said two children of Fidelis Omhonria were shot by the NDLEA, saying the case was very pathetic.

He said, “Mr President, we have a two-year-old boy who was inadvertently shot and killed by NDLEA while they were carrying out some operations. The second younger child, Eromonsele Omhonria, had bullets in his eyes that have rendered that child almost blind.”

The senator said an investigation showed the boy needs surgery to correct the victim’s eyes, adding that lawmakers engaged the NDLEA to help the family.

“NDLEA, unfortunately, were not cooperating; they told us that they didn’t have the finances, and so they have not offered anything, even to the family for the two-year-old child that was killed and buried and for the child that is going blind. We had more than three sittings on this, and it became clear to us that NDLEA wasn’t going to oblige; they were not going to help us to help this family.

“Therefore, we recommended that, given the grievances of the incident to the family, NDLEA should pay the sum of N200 million to the family of Fidelis Omhonria as compensation for the death of his two-year-old son and his younger brother, who was shot in the eye and may result in him going blind,” the senator said.

Mr Imasuen said that based on the committee’s findings, he believes the family needs to be protected from such an agency and ameliorate the huge loss.

He thanked the lawmakers for the opportunity to interrogate the matter and to serve the average Nigerians who seek justice in every sphere of life.

Contributing, Garuba Maidoki (APC-Kebbi) said the unjust and unlawful killing of Nigerians by security agencies was unacceptable, saying he supports the payment of compensation to the family.

Benson Agada (PDP-Bayelsa) said the official involved in the act should face the law, saying the compensation should be paid to the family.

Following overwhelming support for the report by lawmakers, the Senate observed a minute’s silence for the child. It urged NDLEA to take care of all hospital bills for the multiple surgeries and treatment of the child with bullet wounds in his eyes.

The Senate also urged its Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor the entire process, ensure compliance with all resolutions on the matter and report back to plenary in two months.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remark, said the information at his disposal was that the NDLEA official responsible for the shooting was facing prosecution.

(NAN)