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The leadership of the Onitsha Building Materials Market Traders Association has debunked allegations of serial raids on shops and the confiscation of goods worth N50 million by personnel of the Onitsha Area Command of the Anambra State Police Command.
Chairman of Ozomagana Building Materials Market Traders Association, Mr Obiora Okoro, and the association’s Secretary, Mr Patrick Obiekwe, who reacted to the reports while speaking with newsmen separately at the weekend, said they were shocked to read reports in some media and online platforms, including national newspapers, alleging that policemen attached to the Onitsha Police Area Command had been raiding shops in their market.
The reports alleged that, on August 9, 2026, the policemen raided a shop identified as No. 52 in the market and allegedly confiscated goods worth over N50 million.
However, the two market leaders described the reports as untrue and a deliberate attempt to sever the existing cordial relationship between the police and traders in the market.
They said they were not aware of any such allegation emanating from the market, insisting that neither the association nor its members authorised anyone to speak on their behalf on the matter.
The traders’ leaders also said they were not aware of any member of the association known as Nnanunyelugo Elias, who was said to have posed as a spokesperson for the traders in the reports.
They maintained that the publication was capable of creating unnecessary tension between traders and the police, stressing that the market leadership had maintained a cordial relationship with security agencies in the interest of peace and the smooth running of business activities.
The earlier reports had alleged that some police officers attached to the Area Command in Onitsha had been breaking into shops at night and carting away goods without presenting search warrants, court orders or other official documents authorising the operations. It was further alleged that the raids were usually carried out around 10pm, after most shop owners and their workers had left the market.
But reacting to the allegations, the Onitsha Police Area Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Temitope Fasugba, described the publication as an embarrassment to the entire personnel of the command.
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Fasugba, who spoke with newsmen in his office, said he had conducted an identification parade and discovered that none of the names mentioned in the report as policemen who carried out the alleged operation was serving in his command or anywhere within the Onitsha metropolis.
The Area Commander insisted that the report was deliberately fabricated by what he described as sponsored elements bent on undermining his command and creating distrust between the police and members of the public.
He urged those he described as content creators and media practitioners to always verify their facts before publishing sensitive reports, warning that false alarms could cause unnecessary tension and disrupt the peace in the metropolis.
Fasugba also said that the issue of harassment and extortion by personnel under his watch had been brought to an end since he assumed office as the Onitsha Area Commander about three months ago.
According to him, his leadership has continued to insist on professionalism, discipline and respect for the rights of members of the public while carrying out legitimate police duties.
He, however, warned police personnel operating within the metropolis to eschew acts of insubordination and ensure that they conduct themselves professionally while carrying out their lawful duties.
Fasugba said that if his men remained committed to crime prevention and the protection of lives and property, members of the public would have no reason to doubt their integrity.
He said the latest allegation was a clear example of what he described as a spurious publication capable of damaging the image of hardworking police officers who were committed to maintaining law and order in Onitsha.
The Area Commander reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining peace in the commercial city, while urging residents, traders and other stakeholders to continue to cooperate with the police and provide credible information whenever necessary.
