The Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has condemned the killing of a two-year-old boy, Ivan Omorhiakogbe, allegedly hit by the bullets of the operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Oborevwori made the condemnation in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Festus Ahon, to the family of the deceased Ivan Omorhiakogbe in Asaba.
The governor said it was reported that the young Omorhiakogbe, was hit by a “stray bullet” during an operation by the NDLEA, Delta Command, at Okpanam area of the State capital.
While lamenting the incident, the governor said the tragic incident was regrettable and avoidable if the officers had operated based on their rules of engagement.
Oborevwori urged the NDLEA authorities and the Police Command in Delta to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the boy and injury to his brother, with a view to making the culprits face the wrath of and avoiding a future occurrence.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I commiserate with the family of Fidelis Omorhiakogbe on the tragic death of their two-year-old son, Ivan, and injury to his younger sibling, Eromonsele.
“This incident is tragic, painful, and grievous because of the loss of a child and injury to his younger sibling.
“I condemn this unfortunate incident because no matter the provocation, armed security men must operate within the standard procedure as enshrined in their rules of engagement,” he said.
Oborevwori added, “any action taken outside these international best practices could be catastrophic as in this case.
“I, therefore, call on the NDLEA and Police authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident and bring all the culprits to book.”
