Traders operating in the commercial hub of Onitsha, Anambra State, have dispatched an urgent Save-Our-Souls (SOS) petition to the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, seeking intervention over alleged coordinated shop break-ins and illegal seizures executed by a team of police officers.
​Speaking on behalf of the victimized merchants, Nnanunyelugo Elias detailed the latest breach, which occurred at approximately 10:00 PM on Sunday, August 9, 2026. The incident targeted Shop 52 within the market’s Building Materials Section, a major pharmaceutical store, shortly after traders had closed for the day.
Elias named five officers allegedly involved in the operation: ASP Sebastine, Inspector Anthony, Inspector Elijah, Sergeant Daniel, and Sergeant Ebo, gained access using crowbars and heavy iron rods, the officers allegedly forced open the metallic shutters of the closed shop without producing a search warrant or legal authorization.
Pharmaceuticals valued at over N50 million were carted away in a police pickup vehicle and transferred to the Area Command facility overseen by ACP Temitope.
When the shop owner visited the Area Command the following morning, police officials refused to state the official grounds for the seizure, claiming the items were forwarded to a government ministry. Elias further alleged that an insider warned the merchant that his goods had already been sold off, advising him to leave to avoid arrest.
​The petition highlights broader concerns over police conduct in the commercial zone. Two of the officers implicated in the August 9 break-in were also linked to an August 19 shooting at the Onitsha Niger Bridge Head market. In that encounter, plainclothes officers opened fire during an attempted arrest of traders carrying pharmaceutical stock, resulting in multiple injuries, severe traffic gridlock, and widespread market protests.
​Following the Bridge Head unrest, CP Ama visited hospitalized victims, pledged command coverage for their medical bills, and summoned all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and the Area Commander to Awka for an emergency supervisory review.
​The traders are demanding that CP Ama broaden his ongoing anti-misconduct drive to cover the August 9 burglary, discipline all culpable personnel, and return the seized goods. State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, could not be reached for comment prior to press time.
