A few weeks after some operatives of the Anambra State Vigilante Services molested and stopped naked a National Youth Corps Member (NYSC) in Awka Anambra State, another set of the state’s local security operatives have reportedly suddenly opened fire on the traders in Onitsha during a disagreement, leading to chaos and the death of a victim.
This time, operatives of the Ocha Brigade, an environmental law enforcement unit established by Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration, reportedly shot and killed a woman and injured several others on Tuesday at the Emeka Offor Plaza area of Onitsha Main Market.
Three additional traders are feared dead in the incident.
It was gathered that the security operatives suddenly opened fire on the traders during a verbal disagreement, leading to chaos and the death of the victims.
According to a video seen by SaharaReporters, the outraged traders in retaliation set a car said to belong to the Ocha Brigade’s Commander in Onitsha ablaze, vowing that the security outfit will never have peace until justice is done.
Recall that the state government had paraded and announced the sacking and prosecution of the operatives that molested the NYSC member, but it is not clear that actual prosecution of the operatives had started, nor any reasonable relief offered the NYSC member, up to the time of filing this report.
It is speculated that the tendency of the state government to protect the impudence and reckless activities of its local security operatives had given rise to continued violent attacks on people by such operatives across the state.
“Onitsha people are angry,” a male voice said in Igbo in the video. “This is the car of Ocha Brigade Commander in Onitsha. Gov. Soludo handed power over to touts in Onitsha.
“People are angry after Ocha Brigade operatives killed four people in Main Market. This burning car belongs to the Ocha Brigade commander. They have killed several people in Onitsha.”
In a statement made available to journalists in Awka, the Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said only one person was killed, while six others were injured.
“The Anambra State Police Command has 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, during which seven traders sustained gunshot injuries.
“The incident subsequently triggered unrest within the market,” Ikenga said.
According to the police spokesperson, upon receipt of the report in the early hours of Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the police commissioner, CP Ikioye Orutugu, immediately deployed tactical teams and other security agencies led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.
He said the police team was led to the scene of the incident by the Police Area Commander, Onitsha, the Divisional Police Officer Main Market, and the Commander of the Anti-Cultism Squad.
Ikenga said, “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 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 other victims are currently receiving treatment and are responding positively.”
He said the state police command invited the management of “the alleged local enforcement team to identify the suspects for prosecution.”
The Ocha Brigade has long been accused by residents of unleashing violence in the name of enforcement.
The incident has sparked widespread anger and criticism in the state, with many accusing Soludo of empowering what they describe as “government thugs” to terrorize residents under the guise of security operations.
