The House of Representatives on Tuesday, urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to take over the investigation and prosecution of the officer(s) involved in the alleged shooting and killing of two years old Ivan Omhonrina in Delta State.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other sister organizations were also advised by the House to regularly conduct training and awareness-raising programs for its officers and men on the proper handling of firearms, how to resolve conflicts, and how to respect citizens’ human rights.
The House also instructed the Committee on National Security and Intelligence to guarantee that the family of the murdered Omhonrina receives proper compensation for its loss and to provide a report within six weeks (when such a committee is eventually established).
The House further instructed the Committee on National Security and Intelligence (when created) to efficiently oversee the operations of law enforcement organizations through evaluations and monitoring in order to avoid repeat incidents, and to provide a report back within four weeks for additional legislative actions.
The decisions were reached following the adoption of a motion made by Unyime Idem to “Call for investigation and prosecution of the officers involved in shooting and killing Ivan Omhonrina.”
The legislator who moved the motion stated that on July 13, 2023, two-year-old Omhonrina tragically lost his life from a stray bullet fired by an NDLEA officer while returning from school, while his younger brother Eromosele Omhonrina was injured in the eye.
Ibuchim Ofezie, a 17-year-old boy from Agingi Community in Bassa Local Government Area in Plateau State, was killed by police patrol personnel assigned to the “C” Division of the Command on April 4, 2023, and Bakare Demola was allegedly shot and killed by police officer Kabiru Odejimi in Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos State, on May 28, 2023.
He urged action to stop the frequent incidents of stray gunshots, warning that more Nigerians would perish if immediate fixes were not put forth.
Although he continued to emphasize that there was an urgent need to increase Nigerians’ confidence in the willingness and readiness of the security agents to constantly defend them, he noted that security agencies are intended to protect the people, not to imperil their lives.
Afeezoladiti (
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