The Senatehas expressed serious concern over the delay in implementing its resolution on compensation and medical treatment for victims of a tragic shooting incident involving the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, Ede Omueya Dafinone, disclosed this while speaking with journalists on Tuesday shortly after a committee sitting at the National Assembly.
According to the lawmaker representing Delta Central Senatorial District, nearly two years after the incident, key directives issued by the Senate have yet to be fully implemented, raising concerns about justice and accountability.
The Senate had in July 2025 passed a resolution directing the Federal Government to pay N200 million compensation to the family of a child who died during the accidental shooting.
Lawmakers also mandated the NDLEA to provide funding for the medical treatment of another child whose eyes were severely damaged in the same incident.
However, Senator Dafinone said the committee has not received satisfactory updates on the condition of the injured child or confirmation that the compensation has been paid.
“We have not received accurate or satisfactory updates on the health condition of the injured child nearly two years after the incident,” Dafinone said.
“Our committee was mandated to ensure that the Senate’s resolutions are implemented, including the payment of N200 million compensation and the provision of funds for the treatment of the child whose eyes were damaged.”
The committee revealed that the NDLEA had been advised to seek assistance from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation to access funds from government accounts containing confiscated assets, which could legally be used to pay compensation.
However, Dafinone said efforts to obtain support from the Attorney General’s office have not yielded results.
“Unfortunately, we have not received any positive response from the Attorney General’s office,” he said.
“They were invited to our meeting but did not attend, and attempts by the NDLEA to reach them directly have also not produced any meaningful outcome.”
The senator also raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of the surviving child whose eyesight was severely damaged in the shooting.
Although the NDLEA reportedly offered an interim payment to the family to begin treatment, the family has insisted that the child must receive medical care abroad.
Dafinone described the situation as worrying and urged the family to accept the interim support to start treatment immediately.
“I cannot imagine parents sitting at home saying that if the NDLEA does not bring the full amount to take the child abroad, they will wait until he goes blind,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria has capable medical professionals who can begin treatment locally while arrangements for further care are pursued.
The committee chairman confirmed that the matter has been escalated to the leadership of the Senate, including the Senate President, assuring Nigerians that lawmakers remain committed to ensuring justice for the victims.
“There is a limit to what the committee alone can do, but the Senate President is fully aware of where we stand,” Dafinone stated.
Civil society organisations and human rights advocates have also expressed concern over the prolonged delay, arguing that it highlights broader accountability challenges within government institutions.
For the affected family, however, the situation remains a race against time to secure justice, compensation, and urgent medical treatment for the injured child.
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