Woman shot dead, 6 others injured as Anambra taskforce officials open fire on traders

One person has been confirmed dead while six others sustained gunshot injuries after the operatives of an Anambra State Environmental Law Enforcement outfit, known as Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra Brigade (OCHA), opened fire on traders at Onitsha Main Market in the state.

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident via a statement issued on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

Ikenga said the police restored calm in Onitsha Main Market following a distress call reporting that personnel of the Ocha Brigade, allegedly engaged in an altercation with some traders, an incident which subsequently triggered unrest within the market.

Ikenga disclosed that upon receipt of the report in the early hours of Tuesday, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, immediately deployed tactical teams and other security agencies to the scene to restore peace and order.

He stated: “The operatives swiftly addressed and calmed the traders, restoring order and dispersing them back to their shops and lawful businesses.

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“The victims of the gunshots were identified as Ebuka Orakwe, Orum Oluebube, Anthony Kosisochukwu, Ifeoma Ezema, Chinwe Igwe, and two others yet to be identified, who were promptly evacuated to a 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 police spokesman further stressed that the command had extended an invitation to the management of the alleged local enforcement team to identify the suspects for prosecution.

Ikenga reiterated that normalcy had since been restored in the area, while patrols and monitoring continue to ensure sustained peace.

The Star