Tears in Onitsha Main Market as Police Restore Calm After Fatal Disturbance

It was a day of shock and sorrow at Onitsha Main Market on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, after a clash between traders and personnel of the Ocha Brigade, the state environmental enforcement outfit, ended in tragedy. By the time calm returned, seven traders were injured and one young woman, 22-year-old Chinwe Igwe, had lost her life.

Eyewitnesses said panic spread quickly through the usually bustling market when gunshots rang out during a heated altercation. Traders abandoned their stalls, and some fled for safety as confusion took over the market square.

The victims, identified as Mr. Ebuka Orakwe, Orum Oluebube, Anthony Kosisochukwu, Ifeoma Ezema, Miss Chinwe Igwe, and two others yet to be named, were rushed to hospital. While doctors worked to save lives, Miss Igwe was confirmed dead on arrival, leaving her family, friends, and fellow traders devastated. Her body has been placed in the morgue for autopsy and preservation.

In the midst of the chaos, police officers, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, worked with other tactical teams to restore calm. The teams pleaded with angry traders, urging them to return to their shops and assuring them of justice.

Speaking after the incident, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Command has invited the management of the Ocha Brigade to help identify those responsible for the shootings. “Normalcy has been restored,” he added, noting that patrols and monitoring will continue in the market to safeguard lives and property.

For many traders in Onitsha Main Market, however, the scars of the day remain fresh. The loss of young Chinwe Igwe has cast a shadow of grief over the market community, even as her colleagues and fellow traders pray for the recovery of the other injured victims.

Tension In Uruagu Nnewi As Community Leaders Dare Soludo,Defy Court Order

The President of Uruagu-Nnewi Development Union, Chief Sunday Okoli aka Organizer, and the Obi of Uruagu-Nnewi community in Nnewi North local government area of Anambra State, His Majesty Afamefuna Charles Obi, have swept Soludo's directive to the gutters, by reason of their suspension and subsequent dessolution of the leadership of the community's youth forum, led by Ejike Ifejiofor, and subsequent appointment of caretaker executive to pilot the affairs of youths in the community. The Anambra governor had, through a letter dated August 9, 2024, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Martin Agbili, warned the community leaders to stay any action regarding suspension of the Uruagu-Nnewi youth forum. The community had, through its PG, Chief Okoli, written to the Ministry of Youths Development, notifying the ministry of "immediate suspension" of the youth group over alleged insecurity in the area. But the ministry,...

Tinubu Appoints Chioma Awuzie Substantive Rector, Fed Poly Oko

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie as the substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State. Dr. Awuzie's appointment, which takes effect immediately for a five-year term, follows the recommendation of the Polytechnic's Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Dr. Barnabas Gemade, after a transparent and competitive selection process where she emerged as the leading candidate. Prior to her appointment, Awuzie, who holds a Doctorate Degree in Physical and Materials Chemistry, was a distinguished Chief Lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Chemistry Option) and also Director in-charge of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Projects in the Polytechnic. Under her stewardship, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, witnessed unprecedented advancements in infrastructure and institutional transformation. Her leadership facilitated monumental developments across the Polytechnic’s campuses in Oko, ...

Federal Polytechnic Oko Holds Two-Day Recruitment Interview to Address Staff Shortages

The Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, has begun a two-day interview exercise aimed at recruiting qualified personnel to fill vacant positions arising from staff retirements and other forms of exit from service. The exercise commenced on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. and is being overseen by the Rector, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, who personally announced the names of shortlisted candidates. Addressing the applicants, Dr. Awuzie cautioned that while many candidates were invited for the exercise, only a limited number would eventually be engaged, citing budgetary constraints facing the institution. She urged the candidates to remain patient and understanding throughout the process. According to the Rector, the recruitment exercise was structured to ensure transparency, fairness, and strict compliance with approved financial limits. Speaking with journalists at the interview venue, the Acting Registrar, Chief Dominic Nwagwu, explained that the exercise became necessary...