Key Takeaways
- Traders in Onitsha market allege a team of police officers from Area Command is breaking into shops at night and carting away goods.
- The officers reportedly demand large sums of money for the return of seized items, often without explanation or official documentation.
- A recent incident on August 9, 2026, involved five named officers allegedly raiding a medicine store and stealing drugs worth N50 million.
- The affected trader was reportedly advised to leave the police station quietly after being told his goods were sold.
- Traders are appealing to the new Commissioner of Police to investigate and remove the implicated officers, citing fear and previous similar incidents.
ONITSHA, ANAMBRA STATE – A wave of fear and frustration is sweeping through the bustling Onitsha market, one of West Africa's largest commercial hubs, as traders send an urgent 'save-our-souls' message to the newly appointed Anambra State Commissioner of Police. They allege a disturbing pattern of police misconduct, accusing a team of officers from the Area Command of routinely breaking into their shops under the cover of night, carting away valuable merchandise, and subsequently demanding exorbitant sums for their release.
The allegations paint a grim picture of extortion and abuse of power, threatening the livelihoods of countless merchants in this vital economic centre. Traders, speaking anonymously to reporters via telephone due to fear of reprisal, claim that four specific police officers have been consistently involved in these illicit activities.
The Modus Operandi: Midnight Raids and Unexplained Seizures
According to Nnanunyelugo Elias, the traders' spokesman, these raids typically occur around 10 PM, long after most traders and their assistants have closed for the day and returned home. "As soon as they see that their targeted trader had gone home with his boys," Elias explained, "they use heavy instruments and rods to break into the shops after which they cart away all the goods back to their station." The seized goods are then allegedly held at the Area Command, with traders reportedly forced to pay substantial amounts of money to reclaim their property, often without any clear explanation of their alleged offence.
This pattern of operation has left many traders feeling vulnerable and helpless, operating in an environment where the very forces meant to protect them are accused of preying on their hard-earned assets. The lack of official documentation, such as search warrants or court orders, further underscores the alleged illegality of these actions.
A Devastating Loss: The N50 Million Medicine Store Incident
The latest and most alarming incident, as detailed by Elias, reportedly occurred at Shop 52, within the building material section, on August 9, 2026. Five police officers, identified as Inspector Anthony, Inspector Elijah, Sergeant Daniel, Sergeant Ebo, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Sebastine, are alleged to have invaded a medicine store. They reportedly broke into the shop and packed drugs valued at over N50 million, transporting them in a pickup van to the Area Command, which operates under the leadership of an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
The owner of the store, upon rushing to the command the following morning, was reportedly met with evasiveness. "They did not tell him either the offence he committed, whom to meet at the government ministry or the location of the ministry," Elias recounted. Instead, a policeman at the station allegedly whispered to the distraught owner that his drugs had already been sold, advising him to "quietly leave the station before they detain him." The helpless trader, having lost a staggering N50 million, was left with no recourse but to abandon his pursuit, fearing further victimization.
Broader Implications and Call for Accountability
This is not an isolated incident, according to the traders. Many have reportedly suffered similar fates but have been too afraid to speak out, fearing a lack of support or further harassment. The Onitsha market, a critical economic engine for Anambra State and the entire South-East region, thrives on trade and investor confidence. Such alleged acts of extortion by law enforcement could severely undermine this confidence, deterring investment and crippling local businesses.
The traders are now making a desperate plea to the new Commissioner of Police to intervene decisively. "We are, therefore, calling on the new Commissioner of Police to swing into action by identifying all the policemen involved in these dubious deals because they are well known," Elias urged. He further alleged that two of the mentioned officers were also involved in a recent shooting incident at Onitsha Head Bridge, but were shielded by their superiors. The traders insist that all implicated officers, including their bosses, must be removed to restore public trust and prevent further damage to the police force's reputation in a city described as a "volatile commercial nerve centre."
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state for comment were unsuccessful, as calls to his telephone did not connect.
Why This Matters
The allegations from Onitsha market traders represent a grave threat to economic stability and public trust in law enforcement. If proven true, such systemic extortion by police officers not only cripples individual businesses but also fosters an environment of fear and impunity, undermining the rule of law and the state's efforts to attract investment and ensure security. Swift and transparent action by the new Commissioner of Police is crucial to uphold justice, protect citizens' livelihoods, and restore the integrity of the police force in Anambra State.