Four feared dead, vehicles, offices burnt, as security clash with Anambra traders

 

By Okechukwu Onuegbu 

Protests rocked Onitsha, the commercial centre of Anambra State, as some officers of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA brigade) reportedly killed four persons, including a pregnant woman at Onitsha main market.

Although a conflicting report claimed that the act was committed by the State Security (Agunaechemba) led Udo Ga-Achi operatives, it was learnt that the incident occured at about 9am, on Tuesday, and sparked angry protests among the traders.

Blueprint learnt that troubled started when the OCHA brigade commander in-charge of Onitsha Market stormed the market and parked goods and wares displayed along the road and the owners struggled to unpack them without alleged usual payments of fines.

"In the process, OCHA brigade operatives with guns started shooting on air to scare them away. Unfortunately, a stray bullet hit one of the traders and she felled and died immediately. This turned into a massive protests as mob came and burnt the vehicle belonging to the commander and another one. Our offices were burnt," a source within the agency revealed.

However, some trending videos of the incident showed that four persons were actually hit by the bullets and two of the affected persons were seen breathing unconsciously as at the time they were being conveyed by vehicle to a supposedly hospital, even as the security scampered for safety.

“This is heartbreaking. Four innocent people who left their homes this morning have been cut down in cold blood. Among them is a pregnant woman. Anambra people are now living in fear because criminals have been handed guns and uniforms in the name of government enforcement,” a voice in one of the videos alleged.

Unfortunately, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of OCHA brigade, Mr Celestin Anere could not respond to our calls at the press time.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Tochukwu Ikenga, has confirmed the report but claimed that only one person died in the incident.

Ikenga, who said they have extended an invitation "to the management of the alleged local enforcement team to identify the suspects for prosecution," added that calm has been restored in the Main Market.

"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 (M), Orum Oluebube (M), Anthony Kosisochukwu (M), Ifeoma Ezema (F), Chinwe Igwe (F, 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," he noted.