By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Governor Charles Soludo ordered the arrest and prosecution of officials of Anambra Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra Brigade (OCHA) who opened fire on traders at Onitsha Main Market.
The Commissioner for Information in Anambra State, Law Mefor, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday night.
According to the statement, Soludo has ordered that the officials who opened fire on the traders “be arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution.”
“An investigation into the incident has commenced, and the government will ensure that all necessary measures are taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future,” he said.
He added that the Anambra State Government applauded the police for their “swift intervention” and restoring calm and order in the area.
Governor Soludo also directed that the medical bills of the injured victims should be “taken care of.”
The Police have confirmed that one person died while six others were injured in a clash between Onitsha traders and operatives of an Anambra State Environmental Law Enforcement outfit.
Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement on Tuesday in Awka said the command has restored calm in Onitsha Main Market following a distress call reporting that personnel of the Ocha Brigade, allegedly engaged in an altercation with some traders, an incident which subsequently triggered unrest within the market.
He disclosed that upon receipt of the report in the early hours of Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, immediately deployed tactical teams and other security agencies to the scene to restore peace and order.
“The operatives swiftly addressed and calmed the traders, restoring order and dispersing them back to their shops and lawful businesses.
“The victims of the gunshots were identified as Ebuka Orakwe, Orum Oluebube, Anthony Kosisochukwu, Ifeoma Ezema, Chinwe Igwe, and two others yet to be identified, who were promptly evacuated to a hospital.
“Regrettably, one of the victims, Miss Chinwe Igwe, was confirmed dead on arrival, her body has been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy and preservation,” he said.
The PRO revealed that other victims were currently receiving treatment and responding positively.
Ikenga further stressed that the command had extended an invitation to the management of the alleged local enforcement team to identify the suspects for prosecution.
He reiterated that normalcy had since been restored in the area, while patrols and monitoring continue to ensure sustained peace.
Source; PM News