By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Management of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA) Brigade has condemned in strong terms the recent attack on its officers in Onitsha by suspected hoodlums, warning that such actions against government officials will not be tolerated.
This is coming amid circulation of videos and publications on social media, which show a damaged and vandalized vehicle of the Agency following a bloody attack launched against its officers by some yet-to-be-identified hoodlums at the Onitsha metropolis.
This reporter, Izunna Okafor, gathered that the attack, which occurred last week at the Head Bridge area of Onitsha, saw a group of miscreants ambush OCHA Brigade operatives who were on duty enforcing sanitation laws. It was further gathered that the assailants vandalized a shuttle bus belonging to the agency, physically assaulted officers, and disrupted their operations, all in efforts to secure the release of their allies and gang members who were arrested by the Brigade for different crimes.
Providing detailed account of what transpired in an interview with this reporter, the Ad-hoc Coordinator of OCHA Brigade in Onitsha, Mr. Ejike Odife, recounted that the incident occurred while the agency’s personnel were conducting routine drainage clearance operations in the area, both at the markets.
“We were clearing the drainage at the Head Bridge area to prevent flooding when one individual was caught dumping refuse into the gutter. Another person was also found in possession of illicit drugs, including Tramadol and Codeine. When they were arrested, their associates mobilized and ambushed our officers at Ọgbọgwụ while they were being taken to the office,” he recounted.
According to him, the attack resulted in severe injuries to some OCHA Brigade personnel, two of whom are still receiving medical treatment. He attested that the assailants also vandalized the agency’s vehicle, stealing its battery and damaging critical components.
“During the attack, they beat up our officers, destroyed our vehicle, and removed its battery and gear system. Some of them were captured on video, and we are currently tracking them down,” Mr. Odife added.
Continuing, he revealed that while some arrests were initially made following the intervention of some security operatives, it was later discovered that some of those detained were not directly involved in the attack and were released. Odife regretted that the main suspects, including the individuals caught with illicit drugs and those who organized the assault, forcefully escape during the attack, but, however, assured that security operatives are actively trailing and making efforts to arrest them.
“One of the suspects apprehended with drugs who was in the other vehicle with some of our men could not escape. He has been transferred to Awka and is believed to have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for further investigation and prosecution, but others escaped, and we are working to capture them. The people we initially held after the attack were released after verification that they were not part of the attack,” Mr. Odife confirmed.
Reacting on the development in an interview with this reporter, the Managing Director of OCHA Brigade, Comrade Celestine Anere, described the assault as an unacceptable act of lawlessness, assuring that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other culprits involved in the attack.
“I received a report that one of our shuttle buses was destroyed, and some of our officers were attacked by thugs. The report is right here on my table. We have already made a couple of arrests, and we are still searching for others involved,” he stated.
Mr. Anere emphasized that the agency’s works are mostly service-oriented and enforcement-related, are primarily driven by necessity. He warned that resorting to violence against government officers would not be condoned, stressing that there are official channels for addressing grievances rather than engaging in mob action.
“Our job is not personal; it is for the good of Anambra State. Some of what we do is based on inspections and complaints from the people, showing that we are open and accessible to people. If you have issues with our enforcement, there are toll-free numbers to report any misconduct by our officers. But attacking government officials is a serious crime. Imagine if it were us that attacked them—this news would have gone viral by now,” he added.
Comrade Anere reassured that any report made to the Brigade by the public regarding any misconducts in the operation of its officers is usually thoroughly investigated and the culprit made to face disciplinary action to serve as deterrent to others.
“There are toll-free numbers to report any misconduct by our officers. People should take advantage of those channels, rather than resorting to physical attacks or taking the laws into their hands,” he warned.
In response to the growing concern over market sanitation, the OCHA Brigade boss reiterated that traders and market leaders must take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean. He expressed disappointment that many market leaders neglect their primary duties of ensuring order and maintaining cleanliness in their markets, despite collecting sanitation levies from traders.
“There are two major responsibilities of market leaders: ensuring order and maintaining cleanliness. Anywhere you see traders blocking streets with their goods or messing up the market premises, the market leadership is to blame. Yet, they collect money from traders in the name of sanitation but fail to ensure proper waste disposal,” he said.
To address this issue, Mr. Anere announced that the agency has resolved to take a firmer stance against market leaders who fail to enforce cleanliness within their jurisdictions. He warned that any market found to be littered with waste or obstructed by refuse-filled drainage systems would be sealed indefinitely until the situation is rectified.
“We have written to all market leaders on this matter, and they know what is expected of them. From now on, any market that does not comply with sanitation laws will be sealed. We will also report them to the Special Adviser on Markets and, if necessary, directly to the Governor himself. This nonsense has to stop,” he declared.
He reiterated that the agency would intensify surveillance in markets and urban areas to prevent indiscriminate waste disposal. The agency also urged media practitioners to help sensitize the public on the dangers of dumping refuse in drainage systems, which leads to severe flooding during the rainy season.
“The media has a role to play in educating people. Dumping refuse in gutters is a crime, and if we catch anyone doing it, they will face the full wrath of the law,” Mr. Anere warned.
While reassuring the agency’s commitment to enforcing sanitation laws and ensuring a clean and healthy environment across Anambra State, the OCHA Brigade MD also used the opportunity to announce the agency’s plan to officially launch the full-scale enforcement of mandatory excavation of catchment pits in all residential and commercial buildings across the state on Tuesday, among other enforcement of drainage maintenance regulations. According to him, the full enforcement of the catchment pit excavation, which ought to start few weeks ago, was initially delayed to allow people time to comply.
“We initially delayed full enforcement to allow people time to comply, but enforcement is now starting on Tuesday. Expect resistance, but we will not back down. Anambra must be kept clean,” he affirmed.
He re-emphasized that the practice of channeling waste and sewage directly into gutters is no longer tolerated in the state, as it contributes to environmental hazards, flooding, and other public health concerns.
Ahead of the anticipated resistance to this enforcement, the OCHA Brigade MD admitted that their enforcement is often met with opposition, but maintained that it is a necessary measure for achieving the Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of a livable and prosperous Anambra. According to him, those who benefit from lawlessness will naturally oppose order, but that will not deter the Brigade from carrying out its responsibilities.
According to him, environmental laws in Anambra State will be strictly enforced, and any market, individual, or group found violating them will face decisive consequences.
