Tragedy in Onitsha Main Market as OCHA Brigade operatives allegedly open fire, killing four, including a pregnant woman. Police confirm incident, say calm restored

Pandemonium erupted near the bustling Emeka Offor Plaza, Onitsha Main Market, on Tuesday after operatives of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade) allegedly opened fire, leaving no fewer than four people dead, including a pregnant woman.

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Eyewitnesses said the gunshots sparked panic, with traders and passers-by fleeing the scene in fear.

The OCHA Brigade, a state-run enforcement agency responsible for maintaining environmental order and discipline in Anambra, reportedly stormed the market to force traders displaying their wares by the roadside to vacate.

A trader, Chinwendu, who witnessed the incident, narrated:

“The operatives came and ordered traders to remove their wares. There was an altercation, and in the process of dragging goods with the traders, they started shooting in the air.

People ran for safety. Sadly, four people, including a pregnant woman, were hit by stray bullets and died.”

Their lifeless bodies were later taken away by police operatives who arrived at the scene.

The development has fueled outrage among traders, who accused the OCHA Brigade of harassment and excessive use of force.

Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident but gave a slightly different account:

“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.

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.”

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The killings have sparked fresh debate over the methods of the OCHA Brigade, whose aggressive enforcement tactics have long been a source of tension between traders and the state government.