The family of two-year-old Eromonsele Omhonria, who was shot in the eye by officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Delta State, has expressed their frustration and heartbreak over the lack of medical treatment for their son since the incident occurred. Eromonsele’s elder brother, Ivan, tragically lost his life during the same incident, which took place on July 13, 2024.
The children were struck by stray bullets during an NDLEA raid in their neighborhood, leaving the family devastated. Ivan, aged two at the time, died from his injuries, while Eromonsele, then one year old, suffered severe eye injuries. Despite referrals to specialist hospitals, including one in the United States, the family claims that no substantial efforts have been made by the NDLEA to secure the necessary medical care for the surviving child.
Speaking at a hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, the parents, alongside their lawyer, Mathew Edaghese, detailed the harrowing experience. Edaghese explained that whenever Eromonsele cries, blood seeps from his injured eye, mixing with his tears. He further emphasized that the family had been referred to an eye specialist hospital in Lagos, which then directed them to seek treatment abroad. However, their attempts to get medical assistance or a visa for the child have yielded no results.
The family, feeling abandoned, has demanded N2 billion in compensation from the NDLEA for the loss of their child and the ongoing suffering of Eromonsele. Despite this, the chairman of the committee, Mike Etaba, stated that while the toddler must receive immediate medical attention, the demand for N2 billion was not feasible.
Etaba criticized the absence of NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, from the hearing and called for him to personally meet with the committee and the affected family to resolve the matter. A meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024, to discuss a potential settlement.
Theresa Asuquo, the NDLEA’s Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, represented the agency at the hearing but attempted to argue that the case was already in court, which would prevent further investigation. However, the committee dismissed this claim, noting that the court case was focused on the erring officers, not the agency’s responsibility to the victims.
