By Karen James
A clash between police, anti-touting operatives also known as SASA, and alleged touts at Head Bridge, Onitsha, resulted in chaos, leaving one person dead and sparking controversy over the cause of the violence.
The incident unfolded during a special enforcement operation by the anti-touting unit to enforce Anambra State’s ban on motorcycles and vehicles loitering around Head Bridge, Upper Iweka, and Ochanja. The operation, aimed at curbing criminal activities and ensuring public safety, uncovered a group of touts allegedly extorting money from motorcycle riders attempting to pass through the Head Bridge.
According to reports, the touts, who were reportedly sanctioned by certain police officers to collect illegal levies from motorcycle operators, resisted the anti-touting team’s intervention. An altercation escalated into a violent clash, resulting in the death of one person.
Amid the fallout, accusations have emerged blaming a notorious figure known as SASA for the death. However, Karen James, spokesperson for SASA, vehemently denied the allegations, describing them as false and baseless. “SASA does not use guns. We only uses ‘aka udo’ (peaceful means).
“The claim that Sasa killed someone is a fabrication. The thugs fought amongst themselves, and the tragic death was their doing, not Sasa’s,” she stated.
Eyewitness accounts corroborate reports of heightened tension during the enforcement operation, as the anti-touting unit attempted to dismantle the illicit collection points. The Anambra State Government has previously banned motorcycles and loitering vehicles in the area due to its association with criminal activities and public disorder.
The police have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, but local residents have called for an immediate investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding the clash and the alleged complicity of police officers.
The Anambra State Government and law enforcement agencies have reiterated their commitment to maintaining law and order in the state, emphasizing the need to eliminate extortion and criminal elements from public spaces.
As the investigation unfolds, the state awaits justice for the victim and a resolution to the ongoing tensions at Head Bridge, Onitsha.
