…Suspects of Shooting Arrested
By Jude Atupulazi
The Anambra State Government says it has restored calm at Onitsha Main Market following a shooting incident that left six wounded and one dead, Tuesday.
In a press release signed by the Commissioner for Information, Anambra State, Dr Law Mefor, 9 September, the state government also called for the apprehension of those behind the shooting for them to be handed over to the law.
It will be recalled that members of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade) had stormed the market in an enforcement operation which soon led to an altercation with some traders, leading to shooting. Though witnesses said four people were shot dead, the police said only one died, with six recuperating in hospital following gunshot wounds.
But in the press release, the Anambra State Government, through Mefor, expressed appreciation to the police for what it described as their swift intervention, leading to the restoration of calm and order to the market.
‘An investigation into the incident has commenced, and the government will ensure that all necessary measures are taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
‘Regrettably, one of the victims, Miss Chinwe Igwe, was confirmed dead on arrival. Her body has been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy and preservation. The other victims are currently receiving treatment and are responding positively.
‘Meanwhile, Mr. Governor has directed that the suspects be arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution and for the medical needs of those who sustained injuries to be taken care of,’ the release read, while noting that normalcy had since been restored in the area by the police, while patrols and monitoring continued by law enforcement agents to ensure sustained peace.
Meanwhile the Anambra State Police Command also said it had restored calm in the market, while extending an invitation to the management of the alleged local enforcement team to identify the suspects for prosecution.
A press statement by the Command’s image maker, Sp Tochukwu Ikenga, said, ‘The Anambra State Police Command has restored calm in Onitsha Main Market following a distress call reporting that personnel of the OCHA Brigade, an Anambra State Environmental Law Enforcement outfit, allegedly engaged in an altercation with some traders, during which seven traders sustained gunshot injuries. The incident subsequently triggered unrest within the market.
‘Upon receipt of the report in the early hours of 9 September 2025, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, immediately deployed tactical teams and other security agencies led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operations, in company with the Area Commander Onitsha, the Divisional Police Officer Main Market, and the Commander of the Anti-Cultism Squad, to the scene.
The operatives swiftly addressed and calmed the traders, restoring order and dispersing them back to their shops and lawful businesses. The victims of the gunshots, identified as Mr. Ebuka Orakwe; Orum Oluebube; Anthony Kosisochukwu; Ifeoma Ezema; Chinwe Igwe, 22 years; and two others yet to be identified, were promptly evacuated to hospital.
‘Regrettably, one of the victims, Miss Chinwe Igwe, was confirmed dead on arrival. Her body has been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy and preservation. The other victims are currently receiving treatment and are responding positively.
‘Meanwhile, the Command has extended an invitation to the management of the alleged local enforcement team to identify the suspects, for prosecution and notes that normalcy has since been restored in the area, while patrols and monitoring continue to ensure sustained peace.
Information reaching Fides before press time had it however, that the suspects behind the shooting had been arrested and handed over to the police.
