The grieving father of a two-year-old boy who was allegedly shot and killed by a stray bullet fired by members of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Delta Command has pleaded for justice.
On July 13, the agents allegedly opened fire while conducting a raid at a location thought to be a haven for drug dealers in Okpanam, a suburb of Asaba, Delta State.
But while they were in their mother’s shop, outside of the drug den, the toddler and his infant sibling are said to have been struck by bullets, striking them in the abdomen and eye, respectively.
Ivan Omorhia, a toddler, was eating corn with his mother and two other siblings in their mother’s shop, Hillsi Cakes n More Academy, when a stray bullet struck him, according to the grieving father, Fidelis Okogbe Omorhia, a 40-year-old salesman who expressed concerns that the case may be dropped because he had no influence.
He claimed that the bullet just missed his wife and 4-year-old daughter, and he questioned why NDLEA agents would shoot randomly in such a busy and congested area.
He added that his 18-month-old child, Eromosele, was hurt in his left eye by shrapnel from shattered glasses, and that the operatives fled the scene after they were confronted for shooting the toddler.
He claimed the stray bullet entered through his son’s back, exited through his lower abdomen, then pierced a plastic chair, shattering a glass door, and lodging in a cabinet.
Ivan passed away around midnight on July 14 after doctors tried in vain to save him, according to him.
He and the other child were rushed right away to the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Asaba, for surgery.
“I am a complete wreck,” Omorhia declared. I am in so much pain that words fail me. Ivan prayed for the family as we awoke that fateful morning. I didn’t have any sort of death hunch. They wanted me to buy ice cream even when I picked them up from school, but I instead bought cooked corn, which they were eating when he was hit.
The truth is that I picked up my children from school and dropped them off at my wife’s shop in a plaza close to the Sweet Spirit Hotel.
“I need to go meet up with my other activities because my wife’s shop is there. After we end the day, as usual, I pick them up. ”.
They don’t know whether it’s a bullet or anything, so my wife called as I was driving back to the house to pick up something. My house is only five minutes away from the shop.
In that setting, there are no gunshots.
Then, as I was returning quickly, my wife called to tell me that they were on their way to FMC and that I should meet them there.
“It’s like a gunshot,” my wife said, “because she saw my son’s intestines coming out even through the glass that the bullet went through, affecting my son’s eye. When she started screaming for assistance while holding two of them, she called me to meet them at FMC.
“As I was going to FMC, I said no, let me stop at the shop and know what was happening. When I arrived at the store, I observed a Hilux Van that was completely occupied by armed NDLEA agents.
“I noticed another Sienna minibus, and as they were turning at the next intersection, I noticed another Honda saloon. NDLEA agents were inside each of the cars. So they parked close to my wife’s store.
“I don’t know how the bullet got to my wife’s shop, but the people around me say they were chasing those guys who sell drugs, but the guys fled.
“I tried to ask some of my neighbors, so. My wife just informed me that my son was hit by a gunshot and that his intestines are protruding.
Then one of the boys claimed that my son was hit by a gun shot. They had already parked and were attempting to apprehend a few more boys as others fled. The atmosphere was boisterous.
“The information I received inspired me to meet them, and I tried to take some pictures and videos. When one of the agents approached him, he inquired as to my motivation for filming him and if I was upset.
“He then pulled out his gun, and I told him that the bullet you people fired killed my son, and that if he wanted to kill me, just do it because I wouldn’t leave. I grabbed his hand after the guy (operative) punched me. They jumped into their cars and sped off as soon as they learned that their gunshot had killed my child.
“I jumped in my car and followed them until we reached Issele-Azagba. They then stopped, and I pulled over in a gas station, where they approached me. When I told them that the gun they used to shoot my son had killed him, they claimed to know and to have informed their commander.
They instructed me to accompany them to the company’s headquarters in Ogwashi-Uku, where, upon arrival at the office, their boss brought them outside and engaged them in conversation before welcoming them inside.
“They began pleading with me and asking about the child’s condition, and I replied that I had not seen him because I had chosen to stay in the area of the shop to learn what had happened. At that point, I realized that these men may have been carrying weapons.
“Then the Oga said that was accurate.
Their Oga claimed that they told him that when a bike or car hit the NDLEA man, the gun went off because they were pursuing someone or trying to cross the road.
He advised me to not worry and to visit my children because they are currently the most important thing to everyone. He also promised to send one or two people to go with me. As soon as they informed me that they were in the theater and searching for blood, I immediately departed for Asaba to meet with them.
“After an hour and a half, the people the Commander had sent arrived to check on the situation.
I informed them that they were searching for blood to help Ivan survive.
They told us to donate fresh blood; not blood from their blood bank. Because I am B positive, I was unable to donate, so we searched for some of my friends who were nearby.
“Soon after, a blood donation was made by an O positive employee of my wife’s. As they performed X-rays and other procedures, we were scurrying about. Ivan had passed away between 7:00 pm and 1:00 am due to severe damage to his kidneys and intestines.
“My 18-month-old son was struck by glass fragments to the left of his body and eye. In an effort to make sure the cut and wounds are treated, they took him to the theater yesterday at around 2:00 am and returned at 6:00 am.
Justice is necessary for our kids. We must act; things cannot continue in this manner. Even the state of this one I have no idea. I don’t know his fate; justice is needed.
“Tomorrow is graduation day for the person who passed away. He lamented, “They have given him the cap and gown.
John Tunde, the State Commandant of the NDLEA, confirmed the incident but insisted that his men did not shoot at the children.
According to Tunde, a Toyota Camry was parked inside the perimeter when his men stormed the notorious drug den to raid and dislodge the establishment.
He claimed that as the agents were encircling the location, the Camry “ran over one of our men while escaping. Our men fired at the car in an attempt to immobilize it.
“At this time, we are unable to determine whether the kids were in the car when the shooting occurred.
No shop was targeted by our men’s fire.
Our man, who was run over by the car, is currently being treated at the Central Hospital in Ogwashi-Uku. We tried to stop the car, but he managed to get away.
We can’t be that unprofessional as to open fire on a shop, but I can confirm that it did happen, and what I have told you is the true account. In the middle of the night, the child’s father and I were at the hospital.
It’s under investigation.
”.
The family of the murdered toddler received condolences from Delta Governor Chief Sheriff Oborevwori yesterday.
The Governor said the tragic incident was regrettable and avoidable if the officers had followed their rules of engagement in a statement released by his chief press secretary, Sir Festus Ahon.
In order to hold those responsible accountable and prevent a repeat of the incident, he pleaded with the NDLEA officials and the Delta Police Command to look into the circumstances leading up to the boy’s death and his brother’s injury.
“This incident is tragic, painful, and grievous because a child died and his younger sibling was hurt.
“I condemn this unfortunate incident because, despite any provocation, armed security personnel must adhere to the guidelines outlined in their rules of engagement.
“Any action taken outside of these global best practices could have disastrous consequences, as in this instance.
I therefore urge the NDLEA and Police authorities to fully look into the facts surrounding the unfortunate incident and prosecute all of the responsible parties, the man said.
Additionally, a youth organization called Anioma Youth Forum Worldwide (AYF-W) issued a statement through its National Publicity Secretary, Ekwukwo Elvis, denouncing the “shocking incident” and the anti-drug organization’s “reckless” behavior.
He warned that killings of innocent people by security agents would no longer be tolerated and expressed concern over the state’s security agencies’ lack of professionalism in handling firearms.
The statement says, in part, “Such a blatant display of unprofessionalism, where firearms are handled carelessly, resulting in the loss of innocent lives, is an occurrence that has become a recurring decimal and must no longer be tolerated. ”.
The wanton disregard for safety and industry best practices displayed by some operatives in Delta, he continued, “demands immediate attention. ”.
By-:Eghosa-Osawe Jr.
