Families demand compensation from NDLEA

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Families of two teenagers allegedly shot by officials of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Owan West local government area of Edo state,western Nigeria, have petitioned the anti-drug agency, demanding the sum of N115 million as compensation.

The families also want the NDLEA to “tender an official apology to be published by two national dailies for causing grievous bodily harm with intent to commit murder as well as subjected the victims to health, financial, mental and emotionally debacle.”

In a petition written from the law office of G.O. Eneraba and Co; signed by Darlington Enereba and Elefan Saturday, the families said the money was to cover the medical bills expended by the families to treat their children, further medical attention at Indian hospitals and for the emotional and psychological trauma suffered by the victims and their families.

The petition dated 25 September 2013 was addressed to the officer in charge of Auchi office and copied the State Commander of NDLEA, Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, Commissioner of Police, Edo State police command, National Human Rights Commission, Public Complaints Commission, Edo State Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice.

The petition alleged that the NDLEA officials engaged in a shooting spree at about 4pm when they stormed the community in a bid to effect arrest of suspected persons engaged in illegal production and trafficking of cannabis sativa.

According to the statement, on the 27th of August 2013, some of your officers using a white Hilux van which is attached to your office at Auchi, Edo State, invaded the otherwise peaceful town of Okpuje to affect arrest of people suspected to be engaging in the illegal production and trafficking of cannabis.

“However at about 4pm without any form of confrontation or provocation, real, perceived or imagined, those officers started a shooting spree, gleefully shooting everywhere and nowhere in particular. This action caused reasonable apprehension of fear, chaos and panicked residents into utter confusion as they ran for their dear lives.

“Unfortunately for one of our clients, Omage Omon, a young boy returning from his place of work which is adjacent his house, a short distance from where the officers displayed their lack of discretion or mastering of the legitimate use of firearms. He was taken off the ground by two bullets, one of which hit him a little above his genitals (penis) and the other bruised him by his arm

“Omozuanvbo Peter was also among the ill-fated victims of the perilous, condemnable and unprofessional behavior displayed by your officers who even drove passed him on his way home at dangerous speed. In a second, he felt a strong pain in his head, which was followed by a pool of blood. He didn’t understand what was happening so he ran to the next compound for help. Only then did he realize he had been shot in his left ear,” it said.

It added that till date none of the officers responsible for the ugly predicament, nor did anyone from the NDLEA office deemed it necessary to reach out to the victims with a view of ascertaining whether or not they survived or were they able to afford medical attention, the degree of injury inflicted, or to tender an unreserved apology.