A tragic incident occurred in Anambra State, Nigeria, when operatives of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, also known as the OCHA Brigade, allegedly shot and killed a pregnant woman and three others. The shooting took place on Tuesday morning near the Onitsha Main Market, at Emeka Offor Plaza along New Market Road, during an enforcement exercise to ban street trading.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident may have resulted from an accidental discharge by an operative, sparking panic and outrage among traders and residents. The pregnant woman died instantly, while the status of the other victims was initially unclear. Some witnesses reported that they had been rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The OCHA Brigade is a paramilitary agency responsible for maintaining order and enforcing regulations in markets across the state. The shooting occurred during a routine activity to enforce the ban on roadside trading. Police authorities in Anambra confirmed the incident, stating that one woman died, and four others were wounded and taken to the hospital for treatment.
The State Police Command spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, explained that the police commissioner promptly dispatched operatives to restore calm in the area. Ikenga stated that the altercation began between traders and operatives during the enforcement exercise and later escalated into sporadic gunfire.
The incident has raised concerns about the use of force by paramilitary agencies in Nigeria. The OCHA Brigade’s actions have been under scrutiny, and the state government has been urged to investigate the incident and take necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The police have restored calm in the area, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing. The tragedy has sparked widespread condemnation, and the community is awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
