Anambra Police Chief Summons Commanders After Onitsha Head Bridge Shooting

Anambra State Commissioner of Police Nnanna Ama has summoned the area commander and divisional police officers serving in Onitsha after the shooting at the River Niger Head Bridge.

The meeting, announced on Thursday, came after police operatives opened fire during an attempted arrest around the busy Bridge Head/Ogbogwu Market axis. NaijaTrend earlier reported the initial shooting here.

Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said the commissioner called the officers to his office in Awka for what Premium Times described as a supervisory meeting over the incident. Punch reported that the meeting was meant to strengthen supervision, accountability and professionalism within the command, especially in Onitsha.

The accounts of the number of injured people differed. Premium Times, referring to its earlier report, said two traders were shot after police tried to arrest them at the market. Punch reported that five people were receiving treatment in hospitals in Onitsha after the incident.

The shooting caused tension around one of the busiest entry points into Anambra, where traders, commuters and transport workers use the bridge corridor linking Onitsha and Asaba. The police command has said the review would focus on officer conduct and operational control in the area.

The latest summons does not close the matter. It puts the senior officers responsible for the area under direct questioning as the command faces pressure to explain how an attempted arrest turned into a public shooting.

Sources: Premium Times, Punch