...Traders Call For Immediate Disband Of Outfit
By Chuks Collins
Tension is high in Onitsha and other major cities of Anambra as angry youths burn property, vehicles and molest peace loving citizens especially in the commercial city of Onitsha since late morning today, Tuesday following the reported killing of four traders inside the Onitsha Main Market by operatives of Gov Soludo security network under the aegis of OCHA brigade.
Consequently, citizens of the state have once again called for the immediate clampdown and disbandment of all such State Government armed operatives.
Those murdered, eyewitnesses narrated include a heavily pregnant woman and three others by. operatives of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade at the Emeka Offor Plaza axis of the market.
OCHA Brigade, an agency of the Prof Charles Soludo-run Anambra State government was set up with specific mandate to ensure cleanliness of the State’s communities , precincts, general environment and healthy aspect of living among the citizens.
Its activities include clearing illegal structures, enforcing proper waste disposal, ensuring free flowing of traffic and to peacefully see roads remain clear of obstructions. They are also mandated to clear roadside trading, and confiscate products from illegal businesses.
But in this instance, the witnesses stated, the victims started displaying their wares at the Main Market early Tuesday morning when the officials of OCHA Brigade stormed the scene and ordered them to stop and quit.
That’s when altercations began between the traders and the OCHA Brigade operatives who insisted the traders should remove their wares.
But the traders, maintained they were officially assigned the area, having paid so much with official State and Local Government receipts to use the areas/spots. But the officials would not have any of those argument.
They therefore applied force as they daily move around with armed soldiers and policemen to aid their brutal assault on citizens.
They impounded and confiscated their wares and thereby setting state for a likely bloody fight.
Situation immediately escalated leading to the officials opening fire at the traders at the ever-bustling Emeka Offor Plaza axis, Onitsha, the witnesses noted. In the free for all melee that erupted the OCHA operatives apparently fearing for their lives and safety purportedly shot sporadically, which left four people including a pregnant woman, feard dead with many others on danger list.
Spontaneously, angry youths took over the streets chanting war songs demanding immediate removal of Soludo and all his killer squads under whatever names.
As the news spread like wild fire traders started shutting down businesses and other cities including Oba, Nkpor, Ogidi, Afor Igwe, Oye Agu, Eke Agu and Afor Nnobi, Eke Awka market became rattled as no one wants to be caught unawares.
An SUV allegedly belonging to the OCHA commander who was rushing to the trouble spot was instantly set ablaze by the youths.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Tochukwu Ikenga, has confirmed the report but claimed that only one person died in the incident.
Mr Ikenga, who said they have extended an invitation “to the management of the alleged local enforcement team to identify the suspects for prosecution,” added that calm has been restored in the Main Market.
