Onitsha Traders Allege Police Harassment and Raids

Traders at the Onitsha market in Anambra State have raised concerns over alleged police harassment, specifically citing midnight raids and unlawful seizure of goods by officers from an Area Command. Nnanunyelugo Elias, spokesman for the affected traders, reported that police officers have been breaking into shops at night, particularly around 10 PM, and removing goods without search warrants or court orders.

An incident on August 9, 2026, involved five officers—Inspector Anthony, Inspector Elijah, Sergeant Daniel, Sergeant Ebo, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Sebastine—who allegedly invaded a medicine store and seized drugs valued at over N50 million. The owner was reportedly informed that the goods had been transferred to a government ministry without any prior notification of the alleged offense.

The traders fear retaliation and have called for an investigation by the new Commissioner of Police to identify the involved officers and enforce disciplinary measures. They also linked two of the officers to a recent shooting incident in Onitsha.