Onitsha Market Leaders Deny Police Raid Claims

The Ozomagana Building Materials Market Traders Association (BMMTA) in Onitsha, Anambra State, has dismissed reports of a police raid that purportedly seized goods valued at N50 million from a shop on August 9, 2026. Association Chairman Mr. Obiora Okoro and Secretary Mr. Patrick Obiekwe stated that the claims were false and could harm the relationship between traders and the police.

They emphasized that neither the association nor its leadership received any complaints regarding such an incident and disowned Nnanunyelugo Elias, who was misrepresented as a spokesperson for the traders. The allegations suggested that policemen from the Onitsha Area Command conducted night raids without proper authorization.

However, Assistant Commissioner of Police Temitope Fasugba refuted these claims, stating that none of the officers named in the reports were part of his command. He characterized the allegations as a deliberate attempt to undermine the police and urged journalists to verify information before publication.

Fasugba also noted that issues of harassment and extortion by police personnel had ceased since he took office three months ago.