Anambra CP summons area commander, DPOs over Onitsha shooting

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The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnanna Ama, on Thursday, summoned the Area Commander and all Divisional Police Officers serving within Onitsha, following the shooting incident that occurred at the Head Bridge of the River Niger.

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It was gathered that the meeting formed part of the CP’s ongoing efforts to strengthen operational supervision, accountability and professionalism within the command, particularly in Onitsha, one of the state’s major commercial centres.

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Recall that five persons are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals in Onitsha following the shooting incident that occurred at the bridgehead in the early hours of Wednesday.

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The incident reportedly happened after a trader was stopped by some police officers when he was going to waybill some drugs. The police officers pursued him and fired at him after he refused to stop.

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According to eyewitnesses and traders near the scene, the police officers attempted to arrest him over the drugs he was carrying, during which he was shot, adding that the development led to chaos and pandemonium in the area.

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“The shooting sparked a riot in the market and led to a standstill of both vehicular and non-vehicular movements at the bridge. The police officers fired sporadically to create a passage for their escape as the situation escalated, thereby injuring some other persons who were later rushed to the hospital,” one of the eyewitnesses said.

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However, one of the victims of the shooting, Obiora Nweke, who narrated his ordeal at the hospital on Thursday, said he was at the market loading vehicles when he saw two persons dragging one another by their clothes.

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Nweke said, “I moved closer to inquire about what was happening, only for a man in mufti, who identified himself as a police officer, to bring out a gun and shoot me in the leg.

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“While I was trying to ask why I was shot, I lost consciousness and was subsequently brought to the hospital.”

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Another victim, Friday Osisi, who sustained a head injury, said he was attempting to calm the situation when he was hit on the head with a stone.

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Four of the five persons receiving treatment sustained gunshot injuries.

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Meanwhile, providing more updates on the development in a press statement on Thursday, the command’s spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the CP summoned the Area Commander and all the DPOs serving within Onitsha to his office in Awka for a high-level supervisory meeting, following the incident.

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He said, “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, on Thursday, summoned the Area Commander and all Divisional Police Officers serving within Onitsha to his office in Awka for a high-level supervisory meeting, following the incident that occurred yesterday, 19th August 2026, at Head Bridge, Onitsha.

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“During the meeting, the CP directed the DPOs to provide detailed briefings on the security situation and policing activities within their respective areas of responsibility, with particular emphasis on measures being taken to prevent and address unprofessional conduct by officers and men under their command.

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“He made it clear that any police officer found abusing the powers entrusted to him or engaging in conduct inconsistent with the standards of the Nigeria Police Force would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with established regulations.

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“The CP reiterated his zero-tolerance policy towards unprofessional conduct, stressing that no individual or group of personnel would be allowed to undermine the trust and confidence that members of the public place in the Nigeria Police Force.”

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The CP further urged the DPOs to “strengthen internal supervision, maintain effective command and control, ensure strict compliance with professional standards and promptly address genuine complaints from residents, traders and business owners within their areas of responsibility.”

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According to Ikenga, as part of the ongoing review, the commissioner has been evaluating the operational strategy, conduct and deployment of the personnel involved, with a view to determining whether established operational procedures, rules of engagement and professional standards were fully complied with.

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He added that the CP reiterated that the command will not compromise professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights in the discharge of police duties, stressing that officers and men must exercise restraint, sound judgment, and professionalism, particularly during sensitive operations involving members of the public.

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“The commissioner further emphasised that while police personnel have a statutory responsibility to prevent crime, maintain public order and effect lawful arrests, such responsibilities must at all times be carried out within the framework of the law and established operational guidelines.

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“The command has, therefore, commenced a comprehensive review of the incident and the operational procedures surrounding it. The outcome of the review will guide any further administrative or operational action that may become necessary.

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“Meanwhile, the Commissioner has directed that the welfare and medical condition of the injured victim continue to receive appropriate attention, while efforts are being made to establish fully and objectively the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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“CP Nnanna assures the people of Anambra State that the command remains committed to professional, accountable, and people-oriented policing. He also emphasised that the command will protect officers and men who, in the lawful discharge of their duties, act professionally and within the limits of the law,” the statement added.

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Ikenga noted that the command advised the public to stay calm over the course of the review.

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