Onitsha Head Bridge Shooting: Anambra Police Probe Alleged N5,000 Bribe Incident
Anambra police have launched an investigation into the Onitsha Head Bridge shooting after a trader was reportedly shot over an alleged N5,000 bribe, sparking protests and a major traffic gridlock.
A shooting incident at the River Niger Head Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, has prompted a high-level response from the Anambra State Police Command and drawn strong condemnation from human rights advocates.
The incident, which reportedly involved a policeman shooting a trader over an alleged N5,000 bribe. This led to pandemonium, protests by traders, and significant traffic disruption around the busy Head Bridge axis.
Following the reported shooting, the policeman allegedly involved quickly left the scene. Traders in the area reacted by blocking the road in protest, causing a huge gridlock.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the unverified allegation of a N5,000 bribe and the identity and actions of the officer, were not immediately established but the event spurred immediate supervisory attention from the police authorities.
In response, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, psc, mnips, the Commissioner of Police for Anambra State, summoned the Area Commander and all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) serving within Onitsha to his office in Awka on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
This high-level meeting aimed to examine the incident's circumstances, strengthen operational supervision, and ensure accountability and professionalism among officers in Onitsha, a major commercial center of the state.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed these developments in a statement. During the meeting, CP Nnanna directed the DPOs to provide detailed briefings on the security situation and policing activities in their areas, with a specific focus on preventing unprofessional conduct.
The Commissioner emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse of power and conduct inconsistent with Nigeria Police Force standards, warning that any errant officer would face disciplinary action.
He further charged DPOs to enhance internal supervision, maintain effective command and control, and promptly address genuine complaints from residents, traders, and business owners.
Meanwhile, human rights lawyer, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, vehemently condemned the alleged use of lethal force against unarmed civilians. He demanded the immediate prosecution of police officers reportedly involved in the shooting and called for an independent and transparent investigation into the alleged deaths and injuries.
Ejiofor claimed that police personnel regularly harass traders in the Ogbo-Ogwu Headbridge Market, demanding gratification under the guise of enforcement. He recounted that the crisis began when a trader, allegedly pursued by police for failing to stop, was shot at close range. The shooting triggered the protest.
Ejiofor further alleged that officers responded to the protest by firing indiscriminately, resulting in severe injuries and loss of lives. He stated that civilian protest does not justify indiscriminate lethal force.
The Anambra State Police Command, however, presented a different account, describing the incident as a confrontation during an attempted arrest where suspects allegedly resisted, leading to gunshot injuries.
CP Ama, while addressing a crowd in Onitsha, stated the command's immediate priority was the full recovery of the injured. He visited the victims in the hospital, assuring them of support and personally pledging to cover their medical expenses.
The Commissioner also ordered a thorough and impartial investigation into the events leading to the firearm's discharge, promising to establish facts and determine appropriate actions. He appealed for calm and public cooperation during the investigation, reiterating the command’s commitment to professionalism, accountability, and respect for human life.
Despite the police command's assurances, Ejiofor maintained that the circumstances necessitate an independent investigation to determine whether excessive or unlawful force was used. He urged the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, and the Anambra State Commissioner of Police to ensure the investigation is independent, transparent, and free from institutional bias.
Ejiofor also demanded the identification and prosecution of all officers who discharged firearms or participated in any alleged unlawful actions, asserting that "The dead cannot speak for themselves. The injured deserve justice. The bereaved deserve answers. And the public deserves the truth."
The police authorities' decision to summon Onitsha Area Commander and DPOs is intended to provide a broader assessment of policing operations, particularly concerning personnel conduct and complaint mechanisms.