Onitsha Traders Raise Alarm Over Alleged Police Raids, N50m Drug Seizure

Traders at the popular Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State have appealed to the newly deployed Commissioner of Police to investigate alleged night raids by some policemen accused of breaking into shops and carting away goods without warrants or explanations.

The traders, who spoke with journalists by telephone, alleged that a team of four to five police officers claiming to operate from the Area Command in Onitsha had repeatedly invaded shops around 10 p.m., when most traders had closed for the day.

According to them, the officers allegedly use heavy instruments and metal rods to force open targeted shops before loading the goods into police vehicles and taking them to their station.

The traders’ spokesman, Nnanunyelugo Elias, alleged that the latest incident occurred on August 9, 2026, at Shop 52 in the building materials section of the market.

Elias claimed that five officers identified as Inspector Anthony, Inspector Elijah, Sergeant Daniel, Sergeant Ebo and Assistant Superintendent of Police Sebastine allegedly broke into a medicine store and removed drugs said to be worth more than N50 million.

He alleged that the officers transported the goods in a pickup van to the Area Command, reportedly under the supervision of an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Advertisement

According to him, the raid was allegedly carried out without a search warrant, court order or any other official documentation.

“The owner of the store rushed to their command early the following morning, only to be told that his goods had been taken to the government ministry in charge of seizing such goods,” Elias alleged.

He added that the trader was allegedly not informed of the offence for which his goods were seized or given details of the ministry where the drugs were reportedly taken.

Elias further alleged that one of the policemen at the station later told the trader privately that the drugs had been sold and advised him to leave the premises to avoid being detained.

The traders claimed that the incident was not isolated, alleging that similar raids had occurred previously but that many victims were afraid to speak out.

They appealed to the new police commissioner to investigate the allegations, identify officers involved and take appropriate action against anyone found culpable.

Advertisement

“We are calling on the new Commissioner of Police to swing into action by identifying all the policemen involved in these dubious deals because they are well known,” Elias said.

He also alleged that two of the officers named by the traders were involved in a recent shooting incident at Onitsha Head Bridge, urging the police authorities to investigate the claim and ensure that no officer is shielded from accountability.

Vanguard reports that the traders warned that allowing alleged misconduct by security personnel to continue could worsen tensions in Onitsha, describing the city as a volatile commercial centre where heavy-handed actions could have serious consequences.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer were unsuccessful, as calls placed to his telephone did not go through.