Stress gripped Onitsha yesterday following reviews that operatives of the Anambra State government-backed Ocha Brigade allegedly opened hearth on the Onitsha Primary Market, Emeka Offor Plaza axis, leaving a number of individuals lifeless and others injured.
The victims had been recognized as Ebuka Orakwe, Orum Oluebube, Anthony Kosisochukwu, Ifeoma Ezema, Chinwe Igwe, 22, and two others whose names couldn’t be ascertained at press time. Eyewitnesses alleged {that a} pregnant lady was among the many lifeless.
The Anambra State Police Command, which confirmed the incident, nevertheless, said that one feminine sufferer died on arrival on the hospital, whereas seven individuals sustained gunshot accidents.
It added that the victims had been evacuated to the hospital and normalcy restored out there.
Eyewitnesses mentioned the incident occurred yesterday morning, sparking panic and outrage amongst merchants and residents who fled the scene for security. In response to accounts, the victims, who had solely got down to earn their every day bread, had been shot by armed males reportedly working for the Ocha Brigade. The explanations for the taking pictures couldn’t be instantly ascertained.
A dealer mentioned: “That is heartbreaking. 4 harmless individuals who left their properties this morning have been lower down in chilly blood. Amongst them is a pregnant lady. Anambra individuals are actually residing in concern as a result of criminals have been handed weapons and uniforms within the title of presidency enforcement.”
The Police Command, in a press release by its spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, mentioned law enforcement officials moved in to revive order after receiving a misery name.
He defined that an altercation had ensued between personnel of the Ocha Brigade, an Anambra State Environmental Regulation Enforcement outfit, and a few merchants, throughout which seven merchants sustained gunshot accidents.
Ikenga added that the incident triggered unrest inside the market however assured that normalcy had since been restored, with patrols and monitoring ongoing to maintain peace.
