Okija Man, NSCDC, Anti-Tout, Agunechemba Beat Trader to stupor in Onitsha Market

Hon. Okwudili Anigbogu and one of the police officers allegedly injured during the incident

By RAYMOND OZOJI
Honourable Okwudili Anigbogu, a native of Enugwu-Ukwu community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, narrowly escaped death on December 23, 2024, following an alleged brutal attack by operatives of the Special Anti-Tout Squad, Agunechemba operatives, officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and suspected hired hoodlums.
Anigbogu, a trader operating at Jesus the King Line under the Emordi Shoe Dealers Association in Ochanja Market, Onitsha, alleged that the security operatives were on an assignment and were sponsored by one Chief Nwabueze Friday Umeh, popularly known as Ofiafulu Ego Na Okija.
According to him, the attackers assaulted him severely until he was left in a pool of blood.
He alleged that hired hoodlums attacked him with machetes and left him for dead, before sympathisers rescued and rushed him to the hospital.

Speaking from his hospital bed, where he is reportedly battling for his life, Anigbogu told this reporter that one of the NSCDC officers struck him on the head with a firearm during the assault.

He added that police officers who later intervened were also attacked and seriously injured by the same hoodlums.

According to him, the affected police officers are currently receiving intensive medical care.

Anigbogu traced the origin of the crisis to the leadership election of the Emordi Shoe Dealers Association, conducted by the Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Hon. Emeka Orji.
He stated that he won the election by a landslide, alongside eight others, and was issued a certificate of return duly signed by the Ochanja Market Central Body Chairman and the Onitsha South Local Government Chairman.

He said that shortly after assuming office, he organised the association’s monthly market prayer on December 5, 2024.
However, he claimed to have received intelligence that Ofiafulu Ego Na Okija had planned to disrupt the prayer session using anti-tout operatives, Agunechemba personnel, and hoodlums.
Armed with this information, Anigbogu said he reported the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Awka and requested police protection, which was approved.
Despite this, he alleged that on the day of the prayer, operatives of the Anti-Tout Squad and Agunechemba stormed the venue, destroyed chairs and other materials, and disrupted the programme.
He further alleged that police officers present appealed to the operatives to desist from violence, advising that anyone dissatisfied with the election outcome should seek redress in court rather than instigating chaos in the market.
Anigbogu also claimed that on December 19, 2024, he received intelligence that Ofiafulu Ego Na Okija, accompanied by hired thugs, Anti-Tout operatives, Agunechemba personnel, and NSCDC officers, forcefully broke into the union’s office. According to him, valuables worth millions of naira were destroyed and carted away. He alleged that the invasion was justified by claims that a caretaker committee had been inaugurated by one Everestus Uba, allegedly at the behest of Ofiafulu Ego Na Okija, who he said had vowed to impose his preferred candidates on the association.
He stated that when he went to the union office to inquire about the invasion, he was attacked by Ofiafulu Ego Na Okija and the accompanying security operatives. He alleged that he was beaten mercilessly, handcuffed by anti-tout operatives, and taken to their detention facility at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, where he was tortured and forced, along with three others, to sign an undertaking under duress.
Anigbogu said he subsequently reported the matter to the police, who invited Ofiafulu Ego Na Okija and those involved, but they allegedly refused to honour the invitation. He stated that on December 23, police accompanied him to the market to effect an arrest, but Ofiafulu Ego Na Okija allegedly resisted and attacked him in the presence of the officers.
According to Anigbogu, he was assaulted by Ofia, his wife, and hired hoodlums, sustaining multiple injuries from machete cuts and blunt objects, leaving him helpless. He further alleged that his three shops at Jesus the King Line were later broken into and completely looted by the same group.
He claimed there is video evidence showing the invasion of his shops, adding that goods worth millions of naira, as well as cash, were stolen. He further alleged that Ofiafulu Ego Na Okija ensured that no one recorded the incident, as anyone who attempted to do so was allegedly assaulted.
Anigbogu also alleged that the attackers later traced him to the hospital where he was receiving treatment and attempted to further harm him, but were prevented by hospital staff. He said the Commissioner of Police was alerted, leading to the deployment of officers to secure the hospital before he was transferred to an undisclosed location for safety.
He further claimed that Ofiafulu Ego Na Okija had vowed that he would never allow him to serve as chairman of the Emordi Shoe Dealers Association, alleging that large sums of money had been spent to influence officials in Awka. He also alleged that Ofiafulu Ego Na Okija was previously removed by the Anambra State Government after spending over nine years as chairman without conducting elections.
Anigbogu maintained that since his removal, Chief Nwabueze Friday Umeh has allegedly terrorised traders in the market using anti-tout operatives, Agunechemba personnel, and hoodlums to silence opposition.
Response
Reacting to the allegations, Chief Nwabueze Friday Umeh, also known as Ofiafulu Ego Na Okija, denied all accusations, describing them as “lies from the pit of hell.”
Umeh stated that there is an existing executive order abolishing market union elections in Anambra State and that caretaker committees were instituted by the government to oversee market leaderships.
According to him, the Emordi Shoe Dealers Association election conducted at the Onitsha South Local Government headquarters was illegal and contrary to government directives. He claimed that the local government chairman had dissociated himself from the exercise.
Umeh maintained that a caretaker committee had been inaugurated and should be allowed to function in line with the law. He denied hiring hoodlums or security operatives to assault anyone, alleging instead that his wife was assaulted by a police officer who accompanied Anigbogu to arrest him on December 23, which coincided with her birthday celebration.