(DDM) – A violent clash erupted at Onitsha Main Market on Tuesday, leaving at least four civilians dead, including a pregnant woman.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the killings occurred along Bright Street, opposite First Bank, when personnel of the state government-backed Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (Ocha Brigade) stormed the market.
Eyewitnesses said the operatives arrived to confiscate traders’ goods, a routine enforcement action that often sparks confrontation between the task force and local merchants.
Resistance from the traders reportedly escalated into chaos, with Ocha Brigade officers accused of opening fire on unarmed civilians at close range.
“Happening now at Main Market Onitsha. Ocha Brigade came as usual to pack people’s goods but the owners refused to allow them,” one eyewitness wrote on Facebook.
The witness added that “the whole thing quickly escalated into a very ugly scene when one of the operatives started shooting directly at people.”
Initial reports confirmed at least two fatalities on the spot, while later updates indicated that four people, including a pregnant woman, had lost their lives.
Videos circulating online showed scenes of panic, with traders fleeing in different directions as gunshots rang out.
Shops and stalls were abandoned, while some residents rushed to help those who were injured during the gunfire.
Human rights advocates condemned the killings, describing the Ocha Brigade’s actions as excessive, unlawful, and a violation of citizens’ right to life.
Community leaders in Onitsha said the incident has heightened tensions in the commercial city, already notorious for frequent clashes between traders and enforcement teams.
Critics argue that Governor Charles Soludo’s administration has given the Ocha Brigade too much leeway, allowing its operatives to act without accountability.
Over the past year, traders have repeatedly accused the task force of harassment, extortion, and brutality in carrying out its duties.
The latest killings, however, represent one of the most deadly confrontations yet, raising fresh concerns over governance and human rights in Anambra State.
Security experts warn that the incident could trigger wider unrest if not addressed swiftly by the state government.
So far, authorities have not released an official casualty figure or explanation for the conduct of the operatives.
As of press time, protests were beginning to brew in parts of Onitsha, with traders threatening to shut down the market in response to the killings.
Families of victims have demanded justice, urging the Soludo administration to prosecute the operatives responsible and compensate the bereaved.
The Anambra State Police Command has not issued a statement, fueling speculation that the matter may be suppressed without thorough investigation.
Civic groups insist that an independent probe must be launched to uncover the truth and prevent future abuses by government-backed security outfits.
Observers say the tragedy once again underscores the deep mistrust between the people of Onitsha and enforcement task forces operating under state authority.