A routine enforcement operation turned deadly on Tuesday near Emeka Offor Plaza in Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State, when operatives of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade allegedly opened fire, killing at least four people, including a pregnant woman.
The incident sparked widespread panic in the busy commercial hub, sending traders and pedestrians fleeing in all directions. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and terror as gunshots rang out during a confrontation between the enforcement agents and local traders.
The OCHA Brigade, a state-run task force responsible for enforcing cleanliness, order, and environmental regulations across Anambra State, had reportedly stormed the market to clear street traders displaying their goods in unauthorized spaces.
According to Chinwendu, a trader who witnessed the incident, trouble began when the operatives forcefully tried to remove wares displayed by some vendors.
“The incident occurred this morning as some traders were displaying their wares. The operatives of OCHA Brigade came to the place and forcefully ordered them to remove their wares,” she recounted.
“This led to some altercations between the traders and the operatives, and in the process of dragging the wares with the traders, the OCHA Brigade operatives opened fire and started shooting in the air.”
She described the scene as heartbreaking and chaotic.
“This is heartbreaking. As a result of the shooting, four innocent people who left their homes this morning were shot by stray bullets. Amongthem is a pregnant woman and three others.
“Their lifeless bodies were later carried away by police operatives who arrived at the scene,” Chinwendu said.
The killings have sparked outrage among traders, many of whom accuse the OCHA Brigade of operating with excessive force and harassing market vendors under the guise of enforcing state regulations.
In response to the incident, the Anambra State Police Command confirmed the deaths and assured that calm had been restored to the market. Police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga acknowledged the gravity of the situation, though full details were still being gathered.
“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,” Ikenga stated.
“The situation is under control, and calm has been restored to the market. We will provide more details as soon as we get the full details of the incident.”
As investigations continue, residents and human rights advocates are calling for accountability and a thorough probe into the conduct of the OCHA Brigade.
However the operatives of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra State, also known as “OCHA Brigade”, who were involved in a shooting incident that claimed the lives of a pregnant woman and four others, have been arrested.
The Managing Director of the OCHA Brigade, Mr Celestine Anere, disclosed this in an interview with Punch correspondent on Tuesday.
