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Senator Dafinone worried over delayed justice in tragic shooting N200m compensation not paid as injured child faces blindness
Tension is mounting in the National Assembly as the Senate has raised alarm over the continued delay in implementing its resolution on compensation and medical support for victims of a tragic shooting incident involving the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, Senator Ede Omueya Dafinone (APC, Delta Central), on Tuesday disclosed to journalists in an interview shortly after the Committee sitting, that nearly two years after the incident, critical steps ordered by the Senate to compensate the bereaved family and treat an injured child have yet to be fully implemented.
The Senate had, in July 2025, passed a resolution directing the Federal Government to pay N200 million as compensation to the family of a child who died in the accidental shooting.
The upper chamber also mandated the NDLEA to provide funds for the treatment of another child whose eyes were severely damaged during the same incident.
But according to Senator Dafinone, 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,” the lawmaker said.
“Our committee was specifically mandated to ensure that the Senate’s resolutions are carried out, including the payment of N200 million compensation and the provision of funds for the treatment of the child whose eyes were damaged.”
The Senate Committee revealed 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 such compensatory payments.
However, Senator Dafinone said attempts to secure support from the office have so far yielded no 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.”
Even more troubling, the Committee disclosed, is the worsening condition of the surviving child whose eyesight was badly damaged during the shooting.
The NDLEA has reportedly offered an interim sum to the family to begin treatment, but the family has insisted that the child must be taken abroad for medical care.
Senator Dafinone described the deadlock 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 offered by the agency and commence treatment locally while further funding arrangements are pursued.
“I am not an eye specialist, but Nigeria has competent medical professionals and facilities capable of providing initial treatment,” he noted.
“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 confirmed that the matter has been escalated to the leadership of the Senate, including the Senate President, who has been fully briefed on the situation.
He assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would not abandon the case.
“There is a limit to what the committee alone can do, but the Senate President is fully aware of where we stand,” Dafinone stated.
“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 stir outrage among civil society groups and human rights advocates, who argue that prolonged delays in implementing the Senate’s resolution reflect deeper accountability challenges within government institutions.
For the grieving family and the injured child, however, the issue goes beyond bureaucratic delays, it is a race against time to secure justice, compensation, and life-saving medical care.
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FCT Traditional Rulers Hail Tinubu’s Developmental Strides, Confers Wike With “Light of Abuja” Chieftaincy Title(Photos)
Traditional rulers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has conferred on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the Chieftaincy title of “Hasken Abuja” (Light of Abuja), in recognition of his contributions to the development of the territory.
The traditional rulers, who thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the infrastructural development in the FCT, especially the satellite towns, asked for more recognition of the indigenous people of the federal capital.
Speaking during an appreciation visit by the FCT Stakeholders Assembly at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Conference Hall in Abuja, the Ona of Abaji and Chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs, Dr. Adamu Baba Yunusa, praised the administration for improving the welfare of traditional rulers and approved projects such as the construction of a new palace in Abaji.
The monarch noted that the honor recognizes Wike’s “visionary leadership” and “commitment to the development of the FCT,” specifically citing his recent approval for the construction of a new Ona Palace in Abaji, the upgrading of the status and welfare of FCT traditional rulers, and structural reforms that have restored dignity to the traditional institution.
Reading out their list of “more work for hard work,” the traditional rulers requested the provision of 17 tractors—one for each of the 17 Chiefdoms—to bolster food security for the territory’s rural agrarian communities.
They also advocated for the elevation of historically significant chiefdoms, such as Garki and Jiwa, to higher statuses.
Responding to traditional rulers demands, Wike promised to protect the interests of the indigenous people, granting several immediate requests:
He directed the Mandate Secretary for Agriculture to provide tractors for each of the 17 Chiefdoms.
Also, he instructed the Council of Chiefs to submit names for the creation of third-class traditional stools, stating, “It is not in my position to write who will be… you people should do the right thing.”
He pledged to resolve issues regarding land certificates based on the numbers submitted by the stakeholders.
”I’m now from here. For me to be the Light of Abuja, I must do everything to protect your interest,” Wike concluded, while maintaining that the FCT’s political future depends on having a “strong voice” in the National Assembly to lobby for the expansion of senatorial seats.
On the 2027 elections, the minister counselled the FCT stakeholders against electing weak or inexperienced representatives, saying that such choices could leave the territory voiceless at the National Assembly.
“The Senate is not an all-comers’ game. Experience matters, ranking matters… you must have a strong voice there,” he said.
The minister expressed concern that past representation had failed to effectively articulate the needs of the FCT, urging stakeholders to make more strategic decisions in future elections.
“You elected a senator you can’t see… a senator who cannot even organise the indigenous community to ask what their needs are,” he stated.
Wike said that repeating such mistakes would further weaken the territory’s ability to attract development and influence national policy decisions.
“If you make a mistake this time, it will be difficult for you. When it was time to help yourself, you didn’t help… don’t expect miracles,” he added as he endorsed Sen Philip Tanimu Aduda.
Beyond electoral choices, the minister linked political alignment with development outcomes, noting that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had continued to deliver infrastructure projects in the FCT despite low electoral support in the 2023 elections.
“In 2023, most of you did not give Mr. President up to six per cent, yet he has done so much for you… now that you know, do not make that mistake again,” he said.
“In 2023, most of you did not give Mr. President up to six per cent, yet he has done so much for you… now that you know, do not make that mistake again,” he said.
He disclosed that several projects, including water supply schemes in rural communities and new road networks, would soon be inaugurated as part of activities marking the President’s anniversary in office.
“Mr. President has touched virtually all the satellite towns… more roads will be constructed to open up our communities,” Wike said.
The minister also charged incoming area council chairmen to focus on governance and address pressing challenges, particularly in the education sector.
“It cannot continue that our children are at home because of strikes. Education is a first priority… without it, there cannot be development,” he emphasised.
Earlier, President of the FCT Stakeholders Assembly, Dr. Aliyu Daniel Bakna Kwali, commended the minister for ongoing reforms and infrastructural development, while presenting key demands including increased representation for the FCT at the National Assembly and the creation of additional area councils.
The event, which opened with remarks from former Federal Commissioner Dr. Aliyu Almakura Abdulkadir, underscored a new era of collaborative governance, with the traditional institution positioning itself as a central pillar in the FCT’s drive for political and economic expansion.
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Watch moment FCT minister Wike being conferred with title of Abuja Hasken, Light of Abuja by FCT Traditional Council led by Ona of Abaji (Video)
Watch moment FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, being conferred with the title of Hasken Abuja (The Light of Abuja) today, by the FCT Traditional Council led by The Ona of Abaji, Dr Adamu Baba Yunusa.
It’s indeed a well deserved title as truly Wike brought light to the Territory.
Watch:
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has increased the premium motor spirit price after Dangote Refinery raised its gantry price.
A market survey by DAILY POST on Thursday showed NNPCL outlets in Abuja and its environs have adjusted their petrol pump price to N1,364 per liter from N1,295. This means that the state-owned oil firm hiked petrol by N69 per liter.
The latest fuel prices have been implemented at Gwarimpa, Kubwa Expressway, Wuse Zone 6, and Zone 4 NNPCL filling stations in Abuja.
“We adjusted our pump price to N1364 per liter from N1295 this morning, an attendant said.
Filling stations in Abuja, such as MRS, BOVAS, and others, have raised their petrol price to between N1365 and N1370 per liter.
Recall that Dangote Refinery had on Wednesday increased its fuel gantry price by N75 to N1,275 per liter from N1,200 due to a hike in crude oil price to above $115 per liter.
FCT Traditional Rulers Hail Tinubu’s Developmental Strides, Confers Wike With “Light of Abuja” Chieftaincy Title(Photos)
Watch moment FCT minister Wike being conferred with title of Abuja Hasken, Light of Abuja by FCT Traditional Council led by Ona of Abaji (Video)
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