Pandemonium at Onitsha Head Bridge as policeman shoots trader over N5,000 bribe
Police Shooting Sparks Protests in Onitsha
ONITSHA, Nigeria — A shooting incident involving a police officer and a trader at the River Niger Head Bridge on Wednesday led to significant unrest, as traders blocked roads in protest, causing heavy traffic delays.
According to preliminary reports, the incident reportedly stemmed from an argument over a 5,000 Naira bribe. Witnesses claimed that the victim, who was transporting pharmaceutical products in a wheelbarrow to a motor park for shipment, was shot during an attempt at arrest by a police officer.
The officer involved in the shooting is said to have fled the scene shortly after the incident occurred.
In response to the unrest, Anambra State Commissioner of Police Nnanna Oji Ama visited the location and engaged with the protesting traders. During his visit, he characterized the incident as a confrontation that escalated during the attempted arrest, emphasizing the priority of the police command is to ensure the recovery of the victim.
State police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga provided further details, stating that the shooting occurred when the suspect allegedly resisted arrest. He reported that the Commissioner of Police had visited the victim in the hospital, assuring him of the command’s support and that his medical expenses would be covered.
Ikenga also announced that an extensive and impartial investigation into the circumstances of the shooting would be conducted, with an emphasis on determining the facts surrounding the officer’s use of a firearm. He urged the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed without interference, reaffirming the police command’s commitment to professionalism, accountability, and the rule of law.
