For three years, the family of Fidelis Omhonria has lived in anguish. On July 13, 2023, personnel from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency fired on his two young sons during an operation near Okpanam Road in Asaba, Delta State.
Onose Ivan Omhonria, aged two, died within hours of being shot. His younger brother, Eromonsele, then just one year old, survived the gunfire but lost sight in one eye.
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions recommended N200 million in compensation to the family. It also ordered the NDLEA to fund all medical treatment for Eromonsele, now four years old.
Senator Ned Nwoko petitioned the chamber on the family's behalf, and lawmakers urged President Bola Tinubu to approve the recommendation. Three years later, no money has arrived and no action has been taken.
Fidelis Omhonria spoke to reporters about his son's condition. Eromonsele cannot see through the damaged eye, though the father believes proper medical care might restore his vision.
"July 13th, 2026, marked exactly three years since NDLEA killed our two-year-old son, Onose Ivan Omhonria, and severely injured our second son, Eromonsele Omhonria," he said. "Our family has endured an extremely painful journey since that day."
He described the emotional, physical, and financial toll on his household. "For the past three years, we have continued to hope that the government of Nigeria would do the needful.
Sadly, we are still waiting for help that could restore our son's sight."
The father expressed frustration at the drawn-out process. "It has been back and forth on this case before the National Assembly for three years now.
Till today, justice has not been served, and no funds have been released for Eromonsele's surgeries and medical treatment," he lamented.
The family's lawyer, Matthew Edaghese, submitted a detailed petition to the National Assembly. It provided a comprehensive account of the shooting, yet the NDLEA has never justified why its officers opened fire.
According to the petition, Fidelis Omhonria approached the heavily armed officers, who arrived in a convoy of three vehicles—a Hilux van, a Sienna, and a Honda car. They were still shooting sporadically near his wife's shop when he asked them to explain their actions.
One officer threatened to shoot him and demanded his phone. The officers then drove away rapidly, leaving two innocent children bleeding on the ground.
The family continues to accumulate medical bills while awaiting government intervention. Advocates for the Omhonria family say the authorities have displayed what they call a "lukewarm attitude" toward resolving the case.
