By Ovat Abeng
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has condemned the violence that erupted in Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State, on Tuesday, 9th September 2025, following the actions of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA Brigade).
The attack, it would be recalled, led to the death of one persons miss Chinwe Igwe and six others severely injured.
The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Egbeola Wale Martins, described the incident as tragic, noting that it underscored the grave dangers posed when government backed agencies operate outside the bounds of professionalism, accountability and respect for human dignity.
READ ALSO: Land Dispute: Onitsha South LGA Cautions Against Premature Moves on Fegge Layout
According to the YPP, “Equally disturbing is the reported conduct of the Anambra State Commissioner for Youth, Hon. Patrick Agha Mba, who allegedly denied the injured access to urgent medical attention at a General Hospital. Such an inhumane act is unbecoming of any public officer entrusted with the welfare of citizens, especially young people.
“This is not an isolated case. Only a few weeks ago, in the same Anambra State, a serving National Youth Service Corps member, Jennifer Elobor, was assaulted by members of the state security outfit known as Agbunechemba. These recurring abuses point to a systemic failure in the management of government agencies in the state.
“The YPP therefore calls on Governor Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo to urgently review the operations of both the OCHA Brigade and Agbunechemba security outfit. These outfits must be repositioned to serve their true purpose and not as instruments of intimidation, oppression and violence against innocent citizens.
“In addition, an independent thorough investigation must be carried out to ascertain the proximate and remote causes of these recurring violence with the aim of achieving accountability, law abiding and people centered government agencies that prioritize protection, not persecution.
“Furthermore, this unfortunate incident reopens the national debate on state policing. While Nigeria continues to struggle with rising insecurity, the Anambra case raises serious questions: Do we truly possess the political maturity to manage state police responsibly? And if state police must exist, should such powers rest solely with governors who time and again, have demonstrated little regard for the rule of law and respect for human rights?
“We also commend the timely intervention of Sir Paul Chukwuma and other party faithful who ensured that the injured traders received urgent medical care at a private clinic after being denied treatment at a general hospital. Their humane actions stand in stark contrast to the insensitivity of those in authority.
“The Young Progressives Party reaffirms its commitment to defending citizens’ rights and will continue to stand firmly against every form of oppression, intimidation and abuse of power in Anambra State and across Nigeria.”
