Two Years After NDLEA Raid, Eromonsele Risks Losing Sight: Senate Faults Delay in Treatment
Senate presses NDLEA, AGF to implement compensation and medical treatment resolution
By Fatima Saka
Abuja — The Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance has demanded urgent medical intervention for Eromonsele Omorhiakogbe, the young child whose eyes were severely damaged by a stray bullet during a raid by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Asaba, Delta State.
The Chairman of the committee, Ede Dafinone, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, on Tuesday expressed concern that more than two years after the incident, the injured child is still struggling to receive adequate treatment while gradually losing his sight.
The incident occurred on July 13, 2023, when NDLEA operatives allegedly fired shots during a raid in Asaba. The gunfire struck two brothers inside their home, killing two-year-old Ivan Omorhiakogbe and leaving his one-year-old brother, Eromonsele, with severe eye injuries.
Speaking during a committee session in Abuja, Dafinone recalled that the Senate in July 2025 passed a resolution directing the Federal Government to pay N200 million compensation to the family of the deceased child and mandating the NDLEA to provide funds for the treatment of Eromonsele.
“The Senate resolved that the Federal Government should assist by paying compensation of N200 million to the family of the child who lost his life and that the NDLEA should make funds available for the treatment of the child whose eyes were damaged,” he said.
Dafinone noted that the committee was charged with ensuring that the resolutions were implemented but lamented that there has been little progress.
“We have been following up on this child that was supposed to get medical attention. For more than two years now, I have not received accurate information regarding the child’s health,” he said.
According to the senator, the committee advised the NDLEA to seek support through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, where confiscated funds are held that could be used for humanitarian purposes. However, he said the office neither attended the committee meeting nor responded to attempts by the agency to engage it.
Dafinone also revealed that the NDLEA had offered the family an interim amount for treatment, but the parents insisted that the child must receive treatment abroad, a position that has delayed the commencement of medical care.
“I cannot imagine the parents sitting at home and saying that if the NDLEA does not bring the full amount and take the child abroad, they will wait until he goes blind. That is not reasonable,” he said.
He urged the family to accept interim funds to begin treatment immediately, stressing that Nigeria has capable eye care facilities that could help preserve the child’s sight while further funds are pursued.
“I believe we have a decent level of eye care available within the shores of Nigeria. Rather than wait indefinitely for foreign treatment, the child should start receiving care locally,” he added.
Dafinone further dismissed suggestions that federal agencies were disregarding Senate resolutions, noting that Godswill Akpabio had been fully briefed on the matter and would take further steps if necessary.
“There is a limit to what the committee can do, but we are in communication with the Senate President and more will be done to ensure that the boy gets proper treatment,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the agency, Director of Prosecution and Legal Services at the NDLEA, Theresa Asuquo, acknowledged the urgency of the situation and assured lawmakers that the agency would take the committee’s recommendations seriously.
“It is a matter of urgency. The child is losing his eyesight and on humanitarian and compassionate grounds something needs to move,” Asuquo said.
READ ALSO: IWD: Headfort Foundation provides legal aid to female Inmates
Sunbeth records 65% oversubscription in commercial paper sale, raises N165.73bn
She added that the agency’s leadership was sensitive to the plight of the family and would review the committee’s advice on releasing interim funds to begin treatment while efforts continue to secure additional support.
The committee reiterated its commitment to ensuring that Eromonsele receives immediate medical care and that the Senate’s resolutions on the case are fully implemented.
About The Author
