Onitsha mayhem: Soludo orders arrest, prosecution of Ocha Brigade suspects

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

The Anambra state governor, Chukwuma Soludo has sequel to the mayhem that occurred at Onitsha Main market and spread to other parts of Onitsha, on Wednesday ordered for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the suspected Ocha Brigade operators involved.

Recall that the suspected Ocha Brigade team involved in the alleged shooting spree in which scores sustained varying degrees of injuries, two persons, Mrs Chinyere Igwe and a son to a food vendor, were reportedly killed, escaped by the whiskers on the fateful day and the aggrieved traders mobilized and protested along the major roads.

The protesters made straight to the Onitsha Police Area Command where they were received and addressed by the Area Commander, Chidi Nzota who pleaded to them to lay down their arms as their case would be looked into by the authorities concerned.

On departing the Area Command they stormed the office of Ocha Brigade at Iboku street, set the office, property and a car said to belong to the coordinator, (simply identified as Zubby) ablaze.

Irked by the barbaric activities of the said team of Ocha Brigade,( a state government agency), Governor Soludo ordered for the arrest of the purported team involved and the immediate prosecution of the team involved to serve as deterrent to would be future offenders.

Soludo who gave the order through the Commissioner of Information, Law Mefor, expressed dissatisfaction with the ugly development and commended the police for her swift intervention that prevented escalation of the mayhem.

“We appreciate the swift intervention of the Police, who have restored calm and order to the area.

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.

“Regrettably, one of the victims, Chinwe Igwe, was confirmed dead on arrival. Her body has been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy and preservation. The other victims are currently receiving treatment and are responding positively.

“Meanwhile, Mr. Governor has directed that the suspects be arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution and for the medical needs of those who sustained injuries to be taken care of. 

“Meanwhile normalcy has since been restored in the area by the Police, while patrols and monitoring continue by law enforcement agents to ensure sustained peace,” the Information Commissioner disclosed further.