By Jonathan Eze
Four policemen have been detained at the Anambra State Criminal Investigations Department, CID, over the recent shooting of medicine dealers and other persons at the Ogbogwu market in Onitsha.
The Onitsha Area Commander, ACP Temitope Fasugba, disclosed this while reacting to the incident, describing the shooting as “very unfortunate.”
The development came as medicine dealers under the Virtues for Ogbogwu Market Traders Association commended the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, for intervening promptly and undertaking to settle the medical bills of those wounded in the shooting.
The traders said the commissioner’s response helped calm tension following the incident, which they attributed to what they described as the actions of over-zealous policemen attached to the Onitsha Bridgehead Police Division.
The association, in a statement signed by its leader, Comrade Chibueze Ifejiofor, said the CP’s decision to take responsibility for the victims’ medical expenses demonstrated compassion and commitment to justice.
“The Virtues for Ogbogwu Market Traders Association, on behalf of many grateful traders in Ogbogwu market who appreciate good deeds, wishes to thank you, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, for coming to the rescue of the wounded traders and other victims of the police shooting,” the statement said.
“It shows you have milk of human kindness, good character and an integrity to protect.”
The traders also praised the commissioner for ordering an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and summoning officers from the Onitsha Area Command for a meeting.
However, the association appealed to the police authorities to go beyond the immediate investigation and address what it described as persistent harassment of traders and customers around the market.
The traders alleged that some security personnel frequently stop customers and accuse them of purchasing fake or substandard drugs, a situation they said had scared away customers from other parts of the country.
Leader of the association, Ifejiofor, Secretary, Eminus Onyeghara, and Public Relations Officer, Prince Friday Osisi, alleged that some security operatives also conduct arrests and raids around the market without informing the market leadership.
Onyeghara said the practice was creating fear among traders and customers.
“Before the last major incident, security agents trailed someone from outside till they entered inside one of the lines in this market to make an arrest without the leadership of the market having prior knowledge about it,” he alleged.
He added: “Oftentimes these security agents are dressed in mufti. Someone can be kidnapped in the guise of arrest for interrogation.”
The traders also called for the dissolution of the caretaker committee of the market, which they alleged had remained in place for more than four years, and demanded fresh elections.
Reacting, the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Trade and Commerce, Chief Michael Obiekwe, said the election was due.
He said the ministry was awaiting Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s approval and a possible date for the conduct of the election.
The traders urged the police commissioner to sustain the investigation and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable, while putting measures in place to prevent a recurrence.
