The Nigerian Senate has recommended N200 million in compensation for the family of a two-year-old boy killed by Operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during a raid in Asaba, Delta State.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen, disclosed this while addressing newsmen shortly after the Senate deliberated on two separate petitions, one of which involved the tragic death of the toddler.
According to Imasuen, the NDLEA admitted responsibility for the child’s death and also acknowledged that his sibling sustained serious injuries that could lead to permanent blindness and require multiple surgeries.
According to Senator Imasuen the agency initially offered N25 million as compensation, but the committee rejected the offer, deeming it grossly inadequate.
“In clear conscience, we could not accept what they were offering,” Imasuen said. “We told them to return with something more reasonable something befitting of what it means to lose a child and face the trauma of another child possibly going blind. But they came back with the same N25 million.”
“In response, the Senate Committee recommended N200 million compensation to the bereaved family, along with a directive that NDLEA assume full responsibility for the surviving child’s medical expenses.
“Although the Senate adopted the committee’s recommendations, it acknowledged its constitutional limitations in enforcement and called on President Bola Tinubu to take executive action to ensure the family receives justice.
“Our Order 40, Sub 6, does not empower us to impose sanctions directly. We can only recommend and appeal,” Imasuen noted.
Continuing he said “That is why we are calling on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, himself a father and grandfather, to intervene.”
He emphasized that no amount of money could replace the life lost or erase the trauma, but stressed the need for adequate restitution to help the family begin the healing process.
