He did not deserve to die that way, says Tinubu

The House of Representatives has urged Inspector General of Police (IGP) to probe officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) involved in the killing of a two-year-old boy, Ivan Onose Omhonrina, in Delta State.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion, titled, ‘Call for Investigation and Prosecution of Officers involved in Shooting and Killing of Ivan Onose Omhonrina,’ sponsored by Unyime Idem.

Presenting the motion at plenary, yesterday, Idem recalled that on July 13, 2023, the two-year-old Omhonrina, while returning from school, was tragically hit by a stray bullet fired by an NDLEA officer, in Asaba. His younger brother, Eromosele Omhonrina, was also reportedly injured in one of his eyes.

Idem also cited an incident, which occurred on April 4, 2023, where a 17-year-old boy, Ibuchim Ofezie, a resident of Agingi Community of Bassa Council of Jos, Plateau State, was killed by police operatives on patrol.

The lawmaker expressed concern that innocent Nigerians had either been injured or killed due to stray bullets fired by law enforcement officers in the country.

Idem warned that if urgent steps are not taken to forestall such killings, more citizens would be killed or sustain injuries unnecessarily.

The House, therefore, urged the IGP to take over the investigation and prosecution of the officer(s) involved, ensuring that they are brought to book.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, expressed sadness over the death of Omhonrina.

He said: “I mourn the death of little Omhonrina, and sympathise with his parents for the painful experience of losing an innocent child in a most tragic manner.

“He did not deserve to die that way. We must ensure that the incident does not end like that. We must ensure that what happened to this little boy does not happen again.

“I also pray for the quick recovery of Eronmonsele, who was reportedly injured in that unfortunate incident.”

The President, therefore, directed the NDLEA management to speedily and thoroughly investigate the incident and punish those found culpable.

He also charged security agents to be more professional when conducting their operations, to avoid putting the life of innocent Nigerians in danger.