Anambra Police Command Summons DPOs Over Onitsha Head Bridge Shooting Incident, Commences Probe | Sahara Reporters

There was pandemonium at the River Niger Head Bridge on Wednesday after a policeman pulled the trigger on a trader following an argument reportedly linked to the payment of an alleged N5,000 bribe.

The Anambra State Police Command has summoned the Area Commander and all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) serving within Onitsha for a high-level supervisory meeting following a shooting incident at the River Niger Head Bridge, Onitsha, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

The move by the police authorities is to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, strengthen operational supervision and ensure accountability and professionalism among officers serving in the commercial city.

The statement was signed by SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Police Command, Awka, on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

There was pandemonium at the River Niger Head Bridge on Wednesday after a policeman allegedly pulled the trigger on a trader following an argument reportedly linked to the payment of an alleged N5,000 bribe.

Although the allegation could not be immediately independently verified, reports stated that the said the trader was pushing pharmaceutical products in a wheelbarrow to a motor park in an attempt to waybill them to a customer when the incident occurred.

The alleged shooting reportedly angered traders in the area, who blocked the road in protest, resulting in a huge traffic gridlock around the busy Head Bridge axis.

The policeman alleged to have carried out the shooting was also said to have quickly disappeared from the scene.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the allegation of a N5,000 bribe and the identity and actions of the officer involved, had not been independently established at the time of the report.

However, the development has now prompted renewed supervisory attention from the Anambra State Police Command, with the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, psc, mnips, summoning the Area Commander and all DPOs serving within Onitsha to his office in Awka on Thursday, August 20, for a high-level meeting.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the meeting followed the incident that occurred at Head Bridge on August 19.

The meeting formed part of the Commissioner’s ongoing efforts to strengthen operational supervision, accountability and professionalism within the Command, particularly in Onitsha, one of the State’s major commercial centres.

During the meeting, CP Nnanna directed the DPOs to provide detailed briefings on the security situation and policing activities within their respective areas of responsibility, with particular emphasis on measures being taken to prevent and address unprofessional conduct by officers and men under their command.

The Commissioner made it clear that any police officer found abusing the powers entrusted to him or engaging in conduct inconsistent with the standards of the Nigeria Police Force would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with established regulations.

CP Nnanna reiterated his zero-tolerance policy towards unprofessional conduct, stressing that no individual or group of personnel would be allowed to undermine the trust and confidence that members of the public place in the Nigeria Police Force.

The Commissioner’s directive comes against the backdrop of the reported confrontation at Head Bridge, where the alleged shooting led to a protest by traders and disruption of traffic in one of Onitsha’s major transportation corridors.

He further charged the DPOs to strengthen internal supervision, maintain effective command and control, ensure strict compliance with professional standards and promptly address genuine complaints from residents, traders and business owners within their areas of responsibility.

The Commissioner assured the good people of Onitsha and the entire State that the Command remains committed to providing effective, professional, accountable and people-oriented policing.

He also encouraged members of the public to report security concerns and genuine complaints through the appropriate channels, including the Commissioner of Police’s line.

He assured that all credible complaints received would be given the necessary attention and appropriately investigated.

The police authorities’ decision to summon the Onitsha Area Commander and DPOs is therefore expected to provide a platform for a broader assessment of policing operations in the city, particularly regarding the conduct of personnel and mechanisms for responding to complaints from traders, residents and business owners.

The Command said it remained committed to strengthening supervision and ensuring that police officers operate within established professional standards.