The two-year-old boy, Ivan Omhonria, who lost his life due to a stray bullet fired by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Asaba, Delta State, has been buried.
In a conversation with our correspondent in Asaba, the state capital, the deceased’s father, Mr. Fidelis Omhonria, expressed the family’s anguish during this trying period.
Confirming Ivan’s interment at the burial ground, Mr. Omhonria stated, “We just finished the funeral service now at the St. John Mary Vienny Catholic church, DBS Road, Asaba. He has gone to his maker. Our concern now is how to treat the child (his sibling).
“NDLEA from operational headquarters and others were present at the burial ground and they are helping us to fast-track the visa to the United States for further treatment.
“The Delta State Government has written to US embassy to fast-track the process so that the boy can go for treatment.
“The police have equally arrested the happy trigger operative of the NDLEA whose stray bullet killed Ivan and has also taken over investigation of the case.”
The unfortunate incident occurred on Thursday, July 13th, 2023, when the NDLEA operatives were reportedly chasing drug peddlers and discharged their firearms recklessly into the air in Okpanam, a suburb of Asaba, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the State.
The NDLEA operatives allegedly fired shots that struck the two brothers while they were in their mother’s shop, owned by a cake baker who runs Hillsi Cakes N More Academy, shortly after returning from school.
A stray bullet hit the younger one in the eye, and the older one sustained an abdomen injury. Both were swiftly rushed to the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Asaba, for urgent surgery.
Tragically, Ivan lost his life the same day the incident occurred, while his younger sibling underwent extensive medical procedures.
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