The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnanna Oji Ama, has summoned the Area Commander and all Divisional Police Officers serving within Onitsha following Wednesday’s shooting incident at the Head Bridge of the River Niger, which left five people receiving treatment in hospitals.
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Four of the five victims reportedly sustained gunshot injuries, while another suffered a head injury during the disturbance that followed an attempted police operation in the busy commercial area.
The Commissioner convened what the command described as a high-level supervisory meeting at the state police headquarters in Awka on Thursday, August 20, as part of a comprehensive review of the incident and the conduct of personnel involved.
The shooting occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, August 19, after police officers reportedly attempted to stop a trader who was going to waybill drugs.
Accounts from eyewitnesses and traders alleged that the officers pursued the trader after he failed to stop and that gunfire was subsequently discharged.
Witnesses said an attempt by officers to arrest the trader over the drugs he was carrying triggered confusion around the Head Bridge market area.
As the situation escalated, traders and other persons in the area reportedly confronted the officers, resulting in a disturbance that brought vehicular and pedestrian movement around the bridge to a standstill.
One eyewitness alleged that the officers fired shots while attempting to leave the area as the situation deteriorated, with several people sustaining injuries before being taken to hospitals.
One of the injured persons, Obiora Nweke, narrated his experience from his hospital bed on Thursday.
Nweke said he was loading vehicles in the market when he noticed two persons struggling with each other and moved closer to find out what was happening.
“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,” he alleged.
“While I was trying to ask why I was shot, I lost consciousness and was subsequently brought to the hospital.”
Another victim, Friday Osisi, who sustained an injury to his head, said he was attempting to calm the situation when he was struck by a stone.
Of the five persons reportedly receiving treatment following the incident, four were said to have suffered gunshot wounds.
The precise circumstances in which the shots were fired and the responsibility of individual officers have, however, not yet been officially determined.
Giving an update on Thursday, spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Commissioner summoned the Area Commander and every DPO serving within Onitsha for detailed briefings on policing and security operations in their respective jurisdictions.
“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,” Ikenga said.
According to the command, the Commissioner directed the senior officers to explain the security situation and policing activities within their areas, particularly measures being taken to prevent and address misconduct by officers under their supervision.
The CP warned that police powers must not be abused and said any officer found to have acted contrary to the professional standards of the Nigeria Police Force would face appropriate disciplinary action.
“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,” the statement said.
Ama reiterated what the command described as his zero-tolerance policy towards unprofessional conduct, saying no police personnel would be permitted to undermine public confidence in the Force.
The Commissioner consequently directed DPOs to strengthen internal supervision, maintain effective command and control over their officers, enforce professional standards and respond promptly to genuine complaints from residents, traders and business owners.
The command said the Commissioner was also reviewing the operational strategy, deployment and conduct of the personnel involved in Wednesday’s incident.
The review will examine whether established operational procedures, rules of engagement and professional standards were followed.
According to Ikenga, the CP stressed that professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights would not be compromised in the discharge of police responsibilities.
Officers were reminded to exercise restraint, sound judgment and professionalism, particularly when carrying out sensitive operations involving members of the public.
The Commissioner acknowledged that police personnel have statutory responsibilities to prevent crime, maintain public order and carry out lawful arrests, but insisted that those powers must always be exercised within the law and established operational guidelines.
“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,” the statement said.
The CP also ordered continued attention to the welfare and medical condition of those injured while efforts are made to establish objectively what occurred at the Head Bridge.
He assured residents that the command remained committed to professional, accountable and people-oriented policing.
Ama equally said officers who lawfully discharge their duties professionally and within the limits of the law would receive the protection of the command.
The police have appealed to members of the public to remain calm while the review continues, with its findings expected to determine whether disciplinary or other administrative measures will be taken against any personnel involved in the incident.
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