Tension is mounting in the National Assembly as the Senate has raised concern over delays in implementing its resolution on compensation and medical support for victims of a tragic shooting involving the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, Ede Dafinone (APC, Delta Central), on Tuesday disclosed that nearly two years after the incident, key directives issued by the Senate have yet to be fully implemented.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the committee’s sitting, the lawmaker said the delay in paying compensation to the bereaved family and providing medical support for an injured child was unacceptable.
The Senate had in July 2025 passed a resolution directing the Federal Government to pay ₦200 million as compensation to the family of a child who died in the accidental shooting.
The upper chamber also mandated the NDLEA to fund the medical treatment of another child whose eyes were severely damaged during the same incident.
However, Senator Dafinone lamented that progress on both directives has been painfully slow.
“We have not received accurate or satisfactory updates on the health condition of the injured child nearly two years after the incident,” he said.
“Our committee was specifically mandated to ensure the Senate’s resolutions are implemented, including the payment of ₦200 million compensation and the provision of funds for the treatment of the child whose eyes were damaged.”
The committee disclosed that the NDLEA had been advised to approach the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation to access funds from government accounts holding confiscated assets, which could legally be used for compensation.
But Senator Dafinone said attempts to secure support from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation have so far produced no results.
“Unfortunately, we have not received any positive response from the Attorney General’s office,” he stated.
“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 committee also expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the surviving child whose eyesight was severely damaged during the shooting.
According to the lawmaker, the NDLEA had offered an interim sum to enable the family begin treatment, but the family insisted the child must be taken abroad for medical care.
Dafinone described the situation as dangerous and potentially devastating for the child’s future.
“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. That is simply not reasonable,” he said.
“What is important now is to begin treatment immediately to preserve the child’s sight.”
He urged the family to accept the interim funds and commence treatment locally while additional funding arrangements are pursued.
“I am not an eye specialist, but Nigeria has competent medical professionals and facilities capable of providing initial treatment,” he added.
“Rather than allow the child’s condition to deteriorate while waiting for funds to travel abroad, let treatment start here. If the money runs out, additional funding can then be requested.”
The committee chairman further disclosed that the matter has been escalated to the leadership of the Senate, including Godswill Akpabio, who has been fully briefed on the situation.
He assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would continue to push for 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 said.
“I am confident that further action will be taken to ensure justice is served and that the young boy receives the treatment needed to save his sight.”
The case has continued to spark outrage among civil society groups and human rights advocates, who argue that the prolonged delay in implementing the Senate’s resolution reflects deeper accountability challenges within government institutions.
For the grieving family and the injured child, however, the issue remains a race against time to secure justice, compensation, and life-saving medical care.
