The Nigerian Senate on Thursday removed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and replaced her with Senator Aniekan Bassey, who represents Akwa Ibom North-East.

The decision was made during plenary without any official explanation. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was only appointed to the position in February 2025. This marks her second removal from a committee chairmanship within the 10th Senate, after she was earlier removed as Chair of the Committee on Local Content.

In another development, the Senate called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the payment of ₦200 million in compensation to the family of two-year-old Ivan Omhonrina, who was killed by a stray bullet during an NDLEA raid in Asaba, Delta State, in July 2023.

The child was reportedly returning home from school when he was struck during the agency’s operation. The tragic killing sparked outrage across the country and demands for justice.

The Senate’s call followed a petition presented by Senator Neda Imaseun, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics. Lawmakers unanimously condemned the incident and held the NDLEA responsible for the death.

They also observed a minute of silence in honour of little Ivan and directed the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure that the resolution is followed and a progress report submitted within two months.

The Senate stressed the need for accountability from security agencies and insisted that such cases must never be ignored.