PANIC IN ONITSHA MAIN MARKET AS OCHA BRIGADE’S GUNFIRE LEAVES FOUR DEAD, INCLUDING PREGNANT WOMAN
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Pandemonium broke out near the busy Emeka Offor Plaza, Onitsha Main Market, on Tuesday when operatives of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade allegedly opened fire, killing at least four people, including a pregnant woman.
Eyewitnesses said the incident caused chaos and panic, as traders and residents fled for safety.
The OCHA Brigade, a state-run enforcement agency responsible for maintaining environmental order and enforcing government policies, reportedly clashed with traders while attempting to disperse them for displaying goods along the roadside.
A trader, identified simply as Chinwendu, told reporters that the confrontation escalated after operatives attempted to seize traders’ wares.
“In the process of dragging the goods, they opened fire and started shooting in the air. People ran in all directions. Sadly, four innocent people, including a pregnant woman, were hit by stray bullets and died on the spot,” she said.
Witnesses said police operatives later arrived at the scene and evacuated the victims’ bodies.
The incident has sparked outrage among traders, many of whom accused the OCHA Brigade of harassment and excessive use of force in markets across the state.
When contacted, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident but gave a lower casualty figure.
“Although we have not got the full details, we have a report that some security officers, while carrying out their functions, opened fire, and this led to the killing of three persons. The situation is under control, and calm has been restored to the market,” Ikenga stated.
Authorities are expected to release further details as investigations continue.
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