The Senate has announced its decision to probe the killing of a member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Miss Linda Angela Igwetu, by a policeman.
She was shot dead at about 3.00 a.m. on Wednesday.
The decision to probe the killing followed a motion to that effect by Senator Atai Aidoko at the plenary on Thursday.
The relevant committees of the Senate have been directed to carry out the probe.
The committees are those on Youth and Sports, Health and Police Affairs.
They were given two weeks to investigate the case and turn in their reports.
Presenting the motion, Aidoko explained that Igwetu was on her way home with her friends when she was shot.
She was subsequently rushed to Garki Hospital, Abuja, but was said to have been left unattended to.
It was said that the hospital requested for a police report.
The hospital has, however, denied the report, saying that she was treated.
The Senate said it would probe the police and the hospital over the death of Agwetu.
The Senate said it decided to probe the hospital too following alleged violation of the law that compels hospitals to treat victims of gunshot wounds without a police report.
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, spoke on the case at the plenary.
His words: “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 to 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.
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“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.”
