The National Assembly has strongly condemned the actions of operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following the killing of two-year-old Onosereba Omhonria and the shooting of his one-year-old brother, Eromonsele Omhonria, in the eye.

The Senate and House of Representatives, through their respective Committees on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, expressed outrage over the incident. The committees noted the immense pain the family has endured, particularly the ongoing battle to save the eye of the younger brother.

Senator Neda Imaseun (LP, Edo South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, was visibly angered by the NDLEA’s response, questioning whether the ₦25 million offered as compensation was meant for the dead child or for the medical treatment of the surviving child, who may lose his sight permanently. He described the offer as “callous,” emphasizing that no amount of money could truly compensate for the loss of a child and the severe injury to the other.

“I always ask, can you for a minute wear the shoes of the parents? If I were the father of these children, would that be an acceptable offer?” Senator Imaseun stated, expressing deep empathy for the family’s tragedy. He pointed out that the child’s potential—whether to become a president, senator, or another influential figure—was abruptly cut short.

The Senate Ethics Committee resolved to work with its counterpart in the House to ensure a fair compensation for the family. A petition addressing the incident, filed by the victims’ family through their counsel, Matthew Edaghese & Co, was submitted to both chambers of the National Assembly.

The petition, dated July 18, 2023, described the horrifying details of the shooting on July 13, 2023. According to the petition, Mr. Fidelis Omhonria, the father, left his children at his wife’s shop, only to receive a call later informing him that his children had been shot by NDLEA officers.

The children were rushed to the Federal Medical Center in Asaba, where Onosereba, who had sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen, died after five hours of intensive care. Eromonsele, shot in the eye, remains in critical condition, with doctors uncertain whether he will regain sight.

The petition criticizes the NDLEA for its reckless and unprofessional conduct, demanding a probe and justice for the victims. The family is seeking compensation of ₦2 billion, while the NDLEA has offered ₦25 million.

At a hearing on December 13, 2024, the NDLEA’s representative, Shadrach Haruna, was asked to reconsider the offer, but he maintained that the agency could only offer ₦25 million, citing the mandate given to him by the NDLEA. Haruna also claimed that the NDLEA had been supportive of the family, but the victims’ father, Mr. Omhonria, refuted this claim, stating that the NDLEA had failed to assist in securing medical treatment for his son abroad.