69072023

STORY

The tragic death of two-year-old Ivan Omhonrina, allegedly hit by a stray bullet during an operation conducted by officers from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Okpanam, Delta State, is a heartbreaking reflection of the vulnerability of our precious Nigerian children.

Young Ivan Omhonrina lost his life tragically when a stray bullet found its way to his abdomen while he was innocently in his mother’s shop after school hours. His younger sibling, Eromonsele, also suffered grave injuries, as a bullet brushed his eye. This heart-wrenching incident epitomizes the neglect and insecurity plaguing our nation and its future.

Sources: franktalknow.com, The Sun Newspaper

SENSES (Child Safeguarding and Protection Principles)

The tragic death of two-year-old Ivan Omhonrina highlights the vulnerability of children and low value placed on live and well-being of our precious Nigerian children.

‘Children are like buds in a garden and should be carefully and lovingly nurtured, as they are the future of the nation and the citizens of tomorrow,’ said Jawaharlal Nehru

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported over 2,400 verified incidents of grave violations against children, including forced recruitment, abductions, and killings, affecting 6,800 children since 2014.

Political instability, citizen alienation, terrorism and violence define the Nigerian crime scene today with our precious children defenselessly at the receiving end. According to the Global Peace Index (2023) Nigeria ranks 144 of the163 independent states and territories ranked according to their level of peacefulness, making it one of the least peaceful places on earth. This risk is influenced by a population of over 200 million people, a high child mortality rate, ongoing battle-related deaths, the country’s own history of mass killing, and its ethnic fractionalization.

The number of children’s death caused by negligence and lack of the basic social amenities is of the increase day by day. In 2019, Nigeria had an estimated average of 858,000 under-five deaths, making it the world’s leading contributor to child mortality in that age group. The Punch Newspaper of February 20, 2023, reported, ‘at least 2,445 women and children die every day from preventable causes in Nigeria, according to data from the Federal Ministry of Health on the National Maternal and Child Health.’

In 2018, the World Bank had said Nigeria would take over from India as the world capital for deaths of children under the age of five by 2021. As of today, according to Statista’s report, published on April 21, 2023, in 2021, Nigeria had the second highest mortality rate among children aged under five years, with an average of around 110 children dying, per one thousand live births, under five years of age.

The International Centre for Investigative Reporting(ICIR) reported how the government in 2019 cut funding for the nutritional program designed to save thousands of lives among an estimated 2.5 million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

The environment remains unsafe for our precious Nigerian. The instant case is a clear indication of the continuous ordeal our precious children are subjected to. How can a government agency like NDLEA not have a detailed and organized process and plan to carry out their operations. Their lack of thoroughness and negligence has allegedly led to the death of this innocent child.

STONE (Call to action):
This incident highlights the urgent need for a state of emergency to be declared for the welfare and security of our children, demanding improved professionalism and caution from law enforcement agencies during operations:

1. State of Emergency: It is imperative that the government declares a state of emergency on the welfare and security of our children, making their protection and well-being a top priority.
2. Improved Law Enforcement: Security agencies must exercise professionalism and caution during their operations, with strict adherence to protocols that prioritize safeguarding our children.
3. Thorough Investigation: A comprehensive investigation by relevant stakeholders, including NDLEA, should be conducted into this tragic incident. Those responsible for the inhumane act must face justice in accordance with the law.

The tragic death of Ivan Omhonrina serves as a wake-up call for our nation to reevaluate the value placed on our precious children’s lives. It is high time we took proactive steps to protect and secure the future of our nation by nurturing and cherishing our children. By uniting in our efforts, we can create a safe and nurturing environment that ensures every child thrives and fulfills their potential. Together, let us act now to rewrite the story of our children’s future.