Police say they have arrested officers of the state-run Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra State “OCHA Brigade,” involved in a shooting incident that claimed the life of a pregnant woman and injured others.
Police said one woman was killed and gave her name.
The operatives were said to be on an enforcement exercise at Main Market Onitsha when an altercation ensued between them and traders, leading to shooting that sent panic into traders and customers in the market.
Initial reports said said the shooting led to the death of five persons including a pregnant woman.
However, police have reported that only one woman died, while four others were injured and rushed to hospital for treatment.
In reaction, the Anambra State Government reaffirmed its commitment to law, order and public accountability.
The state government described operatives who went on the exercise that led to the shooting as being unauthorised.
A statement by the SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Police Command, Awka, on Thursday, titled: “Anambra Security: Police Restore Calm In Onitsha Main Market After Disturbance,” explained:
“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 9th September 2025, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, fwc, MNIPS, PhD, 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 (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.
“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.”
Speaking on the development, the Managing Director of the OCHA Brigade, Mr Celestine Anere, clarified that: “The operation was not approved by the leadership of the agency, and such unsanctioned actions contradict the clear standards guiding the operations of the Brigade.
“Those involved have been taken into custody and will be handed over to the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) for thorough investigation.”
Anambra Task Force Shoots & Kills Four In Onitsha Market by NaijaCover(m): 5:25pm On Sep 09
There was pandemonium near the ever-busy axis of Emeka Offor Plaza, Onitsha Main Market, on Tuesday, when operatives of the Operation Clean And Healthy Anambra Brigade, otherwise known as “OCHA Brigade”, allegedly opened fire, leaving no fewer than four people, including a pregnant woman, dead.
Eyewitnesses near the scene said the incident created panic and outrage among traders and residents who fled the scene for safety.
The OCHA Brigade is a state-run enforcement agency in Anambra, tasked with ensuring environmental sustainability, enforcing government policies on cleanliness, order, and discipline, and improving the overall health of the state.
Its activities include clearing illegal structures, enforcing proper waste disposal, ensuring roads remain clear of obstructions like roadside trading, and confiscating products from illegal businesses.
An eyewitness near the scene and a trader in the market who identified herself simply as Chinwendu said, “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.
“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.
“This led to pandemonium as people, including traders and passers-by, scampered to safety.
“This is heartbreaking. As a result of the shooting, four innocent people who left their homes this morning were shot by stray bullets. Among them is a pregnant woman and three others.”
