Alleged Killing Of Two- Year-Old Child In Asaba By NDLEA: Investigation Has Begun, Says Spokesman

Late Ivan Onoseharhe

By Frank Oshanugor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), said it has begun investigation into a shooting incident involving its officers during the raid of a drug joint at Okpanam area of Asaba, Delta State, on Thursday where a two year old child was hit by a stray bullet as a result of which he eventually died while undergoing treatment in the hospital.

The Agency’s spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi in a statement sent to AtlanticNewsonline on Saturday said the Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has, after receiving initial briefings from the Delta

State Command of NDLEA, set up a panel of top officials from the national headquarters in Abuja to immediately proceed to Asaba for an on the spot investigation of the unfortunate incident with a view to establishing the actual facts of the case.

According to the spokesman, “this follows initial incident report, which reveals the following:
“A team of NDLEA operatives carried out an intelligence-based raid of the joint of a notorious drug dealer located at Okpanam

area of Asaba at about 1600 hours on Thursday 13th July and in the process of the operation, a Toyota Camry 2008 model, light blue colour at the scene suddenly zoomed off and knocked down one of our officers who is currently in critical condition, undergoing treatment in a hospital.

“In a bid to demobilize the car and prevent it from escaping, another officer fired a shot aimed at the tyre of the car, which eventually escaped. While the injured Officer was rushed

for treatment, the officers got reports of a stray bullet hitting a young person and immediately located the father of the victim, followed him to the hospital and supported in facilitating his treatment but unfortunately the child died in the process.

“We’re in touch with the family to provide necessary assistance while we conclude our investigation of the incident. We will like to assure the family and members of the public that we’ll get to the root of the case and take necessary action(s).”

Reacting to the incident, the Delta State Police Command spokesman DSP Bright Edafe in a voice message to AtlanticNewsonline on Saturday confirmed the death of the two-year-old Ivan Onoseharhe and described it as a very sad one.

He added that the State Commissioner of Police soon after receiving report of the incident directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) which incidentally has already begun investigation as at press time.

The police spokesman further disclosed that all the parties involved, will appear before the State Commissioner of Police on Monday July 17, 2023.

Written by: Frank Oshanugor

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