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By Chuks Eke

ONITSHA, Nigeria — Outrage has continued to trail the shooting and wounding of traders by plainclothes police officers near the popular Ogbogwu (Drug) Market at Onitsha Bridgehead, prompting market leaders to demand the immediate removal of the caretaker committee chairman, Ndubuisi Chukwuleta, and the urgent conduct of executive elections.

The incident occurred when armed officers in civilian attire opened fire on traders suspected of carrying unregistered pharmaceutical products along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. The shooting nearly triggered a major breakdown of law and order, which was averted by the direct intervention of Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji Ama.

On-the-Spot Assessment and Police Commitments

Upon visiting the scene and White Chapel Hospital in Fegge, Onitsha—where several victims were admitted—CP Ama pledged to cover the victims’ medical expenses and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident:

• Internal Accountability: The Police Commissioner voiced sharp disappointment with Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) across the state for failing to maintain strict oversight over subordinates regarding standard rules of engagement.
• Emergency Treatment Clearance: CP Ama personally authorized medical teams to begin immediate, full treatment for gunshot victims, resolving delays caused by routine police clearance procedures.

Victims Recount Experience

At White Chapel Hospital, injured victims detailed the circumstances leading to the shooting:

• Obiora Nweke (Loader): A native of Anaku in Ayamelum LGA whose right leg was shattered by bullets, Nweke clarified that he was not carrying the bag in dispute. He explained that he had merely responded to a commotion in a side drainage along the expressway while loading a vehicle, whereupon an officer pulled a gun and shot him.
• Prince Friday Osisi (TRADER / PRO): Public Relations Officer of the Virtues for Ogbogwu Market Traders Association, Osisi sustained severe forehead injuries from flying debris thrown during the subsequent chaos. He revealed that at least seven individuals sustained gunshot injuries across various hospitals in Onitsha.

Demands for Executive Elections and Caretaker Removal

The incident has reignited long-standing grievances among market operators regarding local administrative structures:

• Allegations of Negligence: Association leaders accused Caretaker Chairman Ndubuisi Chukwuleta of failing to protect traders and colluding with regulatory and security agencies—including NAFDAC, the Nigeria Police Force, and the NDLEA—to intimidate market operators.
• Democratic Mandate: Traders pointed out that Chukwuleta was appointed by Governor Chukwuma Soludo over four years ago and argued that the caretaker arrangement has outlived its usefulness.
• Proposed Election Timeline: Association leader Chibeze Ifejiofor (“Chibeze Adamu”) urged Governor Soludo and the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Nonso Ebonwu, to dissolve the caretaker committee immediately and schedule market elections for September or October 2026.

When contacted for a response, Caretaker Chairman Ndubuisi Chukwuleta declined to comment, stating that the shooting occurred outside the market premises and did not involve accredited market members. Meanwhile, attending physician Dr. Celestine Orji confirmed that the condition of the hospitalized victims has stabilized.