Visa Processing Delays Compound Agony For Father Of NDLEA Bullet Victim

Visa Processing Delays Compound Agony For Father Of NDLEA Bullet Victim....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Janet Ogundepo documents the 264-day ordeal of a father whose son fell victim to a stray bullet discharged by personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Asaba, Delta State. The incident resulted in the tragic demise of one child and severe injury to another, leaving the latter at risk of losing his eyesight due to alleged delays in visa processing and medical attention.

The father, Mr. Fidelis Omhonria, recounts the harrowing experience following the loss of his two-year-old son, Ivan, on July 13, 2023, when a stray bullet struck him during an NDLEA operation targeting drug kingpins in the Okpanam area. The same bullet caused critical injury to his other son, 20-month-old Eromosele, damaging his left eye.

Despite immediate medical intervention at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Ivan couldn’t be saved. Eromosele, on the other hand, continues to endure excruciating pain and distress, wearing an eye guard to prevent infection from the glass shreds lodged in his eye.

Following assurances from NDLEA Chairman Brig Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) to cover medical expenses and facilitate treatment in the United States, Omhonria buried Ivan on December 13, 2023, and initiated the visa application process. However, bureaucratic hurdles have hindered progress, exacerbating the anguish for the grieving father.

Eromosele’s suffering persists as he awaits urgent surgical intervention, having been diagnosed with retinal detachment, a condition requiring immediate medical attention according to eye specialists. The prolonged delay in treatment amplifies concerns about the child’s chances of recovery and underscores the urgency of the situation.

The emotional toll extends beyond Eromosele’s physical pain, as his older sister, aged five, grapples with the absence of her brother and the traumatic memories of that fateful day. Omhonria reveals the heart-wrenching moments when his daughter queries the return of her brother, expressing confusion over the events that unfolded.

The relentless agony endured by the Omhonria family underscores the need for expedited visa processing and medical intervention, emphasizing the critical importance of timely action in preserving the health and well-being of the affected child.

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