The Senate has resolved to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Linda Igwetu, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, who was allegedly shot by a policeman on Tuesday night.
Senator Atai Aidoko raised the issue during plenary, on Thursday, the day Miss Igwetu was supposed to pass out of the NYSC programme.
Citing Order 42 and 52, Aidoko stated that the deceased was shot on her way home with her friends and rushed to a hospital in Garki, Abuja but was not treated because the doctors insisted on a police report.
The Senate, thereafter, resolved to mandate its Committee on Youth and Sports to investigate circumstances leading to the death.
It also mandates its Committee on Health to investigate the non-treatment of the patient, and its Committee on Police Affairs to investigate the cause of the incident.
All three committees have been directed to report back to the Senate in two weeks.
Commenting on the motion, Senate President Bukola Saraki said: “There are two issues here. One, is how could this have happened? How could the officer mistakenly or otherwise have shot in such a way that led to this young lady’s death?
“Secondly, we have passed this Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Act, and the President assented to it on the 30th of December 2017. Until we start holding people accountable for these kinds of incidents, they will not stop.
“What is the point of us passing a Bill, and the President assenting to it, then it becomes law, and still, people will decide that they will not treat a patient.
“Is it that they are not well-informed? Is it that they were not aware that such a law exists? There are a number of issues that we need to address.
“Every Nigerian life is important. Especially young ones that are just about to start their own lives and careers. This is a loss that could have been avoided. We must continue to show that we will continue to defend our people and defend them here.
“Let us stand and observe a one-minute silence for Ms. Linda.”
The Senate thereafter observed a one-minute silence for the deceased.
