Police Shooting: Ogbogwu Traders Hail Anambra CP for Intervention, Payment of Hospital Bills

By Chukwudi Ebele

Medicine dealers at the Onitsha Bridgehead Market, popularly known as Ogbogwu, have commended the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, for his intervention following the recent shooting and wounding of traders allegedly by police officers attached to the Onitsha Bridgehead Police Division.
The traders, under the Virtues for Ogbogwu Market Traders Association, said the police commissioner acted promptly by intervening in the crisis, approving payment of medical bills for the gunshot victims and ordering an investigation into the incident.
In a statement signed by the association’s leaders, the traders praised CP Ama’s response.
“We wish to thank CP Nnanna Oji Ama for coming to the rescue of the wounded traders and other victims of the police shooting,” the statement said.

“Your timely intervention and acceptance to foot the medical bills of the victims show humanity, good character and a commitment to justice.”

The association said it was encouraged by the CP’s decision to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and his meeting with police officers in the Onitsha Area Command.

However, the traders appealed to the police authorities to address what they described as persistent harassment and extortion of traders and customers around the market.

According to the group’s leaders — Chibueze Ifejiofor, Eminus Onyeghara and Prince Friday Osisi — frequent security operations around Ogbogwu have created fear among customers.

They alleged that some customers were stopped and questioned over allegations involving fake or substandard drugs, even when the traders had no connection with illicit pharmaceutical activities.

The association also criticised the market’s Caretaker Committee Chairman, Ndubuisi Chukwuleta, accusing the committee of failing to adequately address security concerns around the market. The allegations could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.

The traders called for the dissolution of the caretaker committee and the conduct of elections for a new executive.

Reacting, the Permanent Secretary of the Anambra State Ministry of Trade and Commerce, Chief Michael Obiekwe, said the election was due and that the ministry was awaiting approval and a date from Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

Meanwhile, the Onitsha Area Commander, ACP Temitope Fasugba, confirmed that four policemen were in detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department in connection with the shooting. He described the incident as unfortunate and said investigations were ongoing.
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