The leadership of the Onitsha Building Materials Market Traders Association has rejected reports alleging that police officers raided shops in the market and seized goods valued at about N50 million.
The market leaders described the reports as false and warned that the allegations could damage the existing relationship between traders and the police.
Chairman of the Ozomagana Building Materials Market Traders Association, Obiora Okoro, and the association’s Secretary, Patrick Obiekwe, separately addressed journalists over the weekend.
They said they were surprised by reports circulating across some media platforms alleging that personnel of the Onitsha Area Command carried out raids and confiscated goods belonging to traders.
According to the reports, the alleged operation occurred on August 9, 2026, with goods reportedly worth more than N50 million taken from a shop identified as No. 52 in the market.
Okoro and Obiekwe said the market leadership was unaware of any complaint relating to the alleged seizure.
They also said they did not know any member of the association identified as Nnanunyelugo Elias, who was reportedly quoted as speaking on behalf of the traders.
The reports had further alleged that some police officers attached to the Area Command were breaking into shops at night and removing goods without search warrants, court orders or other official authorisation.
The alleged operations were said to have taken place at about 10pm, after many traders and their workers had left the market.
The market leaders, however, rejected the allegations, describing them as capable of creating unnecessary tension between traders and law enforcement authorities.
Onitsha Area Commander, ACP Temitope Fasugba, also dismissed the report.
Fasugba described the publication as an embarrassment to personnel of the command and said an identification parade had been conducted following the allegations.
According to him, the exercise showed that none of the police officers named in connection with the alleged operation was serving under his command or anywhere within the Onitsha metropolis.
The area commander alleged that the report had been fabricated by individuals attempting to undermine the command and its operations.
He therefore urged content creators and media practitioners to verify information before publishing reports capable of generating tension within the community.
Fasugba said complaints involving alleged harassment and extortion by police personnel under his command had been addressed since he assumed office as Area Commander about three months ago.
He nevertheless warned officers operating within the metropolis against acts of insubordination while performing their lawful duties.
The police chief stressed that adherence to professional standards remained important to maintaining public confidence in the force.
He said disciplined and lawful policing would also help members of the public better recognise the efforts of officers involved in preventing crime and protecting lives and property.
The market leadership and police command’s separate positions have effectively challenged the reported N50 million seizure, with both sides rejecting the account of events presented in the circulating reports.
