A tragic incident occurred in Delta State, Nigeria, where a 2-year-old boy named Ivan Onose Omhonrina was shot dead during a raid conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The incident took place when NDLEA operatives targeted a notorious drug joint in Okpanam, Delta State. Eyewitnesses reported that the children, Ivan and his younger brother Eromonsele, were in their mother's shop when they were struck by stray bullets. Eromonsele sustained an injury to his eye, while Ivan suffered a gunshot wound to his abdomen. Both children were rushed to the hospital, but sadly Ivan did not survive.
The Delta State Commandant of the NDLEA, Mr. John Tunde, confirmed the incident and stated that his men did not intentionally fire at the children. According to him, shots were fired by the NDLEA operatives in an attempt to immobilize a parked vehicle near the drug joint. It is unclear whether the children were inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting. Tunde emphasized that the NDLEA would conduct an investigation into the matter.
Activist Comrade Isreal Joe provided an update, stating that Eromonsele, the injured sibling, underwent a successful operation. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability from the authorities involved.
In his words;
“What we cannot tell now is whether the children were inside the car at the time of the shooting. Our men did not open fire at any shop. As we speak now, our man, who the car ran over is at the Central Hospital in Ogwashi-Uku,” he stated.
“Our attempt to stop the car was not successful as he escaped. So I can confirm that it happened but this is the true account that I have told you, we can’t be that unprofessional to open fire on a shop. I was at the hospital in the night with the father of the child. We are investigating it.”
Meanwhile, activist Comrade Isreal Joe provided an update, stating that a successful operation had been performed on Eromonsele, the injured sibling.