Features
Onitsha shooting: Pain, sorrow, empathy, compassion, as Nwosu visits victims
By Sunny Igboanugo
She writhed and riggled as she struggled to change her position. The pain was obvious in that effort. She tried to speak, but no words came out. She could only gesticulate, pointing to her mouth, which appeared to have been worked on. A kind of surgery must have been performed probably by some maxillo-facial surgeons from visible evidence.
Then, her minders rushed to her attention in attempts to interpret her action. They must done this a thousand times and more in the tons of similar cases they must have handled given their actions. In this case, they must have done so many other times. “She cannot speak for now,” the lead consultant in charge, intervened. His own pains were equally obvious, even with the mesh of professionalism covering his entire conduct.
This was the scene at the Trauma Centre of the Nnewi Teaching Hospital, one of the centres of excellence for medical cases in the South East. Date was Thursday, September 11, 2025. Helen Anoyochukwu Nwoye, was one of the victims of the mid-day shooting at the Emeka Offo Plaza, a bustling market mostly for telecommunication components and accessories, located at Bright Street, inside the popular Onitsha Main Market.
Two days earlier, on Tuesday September 9, men of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, otherwise known as Ocha Brigade, had stormed the market where they unleashed mayhem, leaving in their gory escapades sorrow, tears and blood. At the end of the deadly operation, five people were reportedly mowed down in a hail of bullets. The eerie incident was said to have resulted from an altercations between the operatives and the traders over the display of their wares.
Nwoye, was among the “lucky” victims of the shooting, given that she still has her life with her, though her health was obviously badly affected. There was no way for ascertaining from her the details of her own account given the state of her condition except for what is already in the public domain, but it was clear that she might never be the same again from the impact of that deadly episode.
Beside her also lay Chionye Okwukwechi, a middle-aged man, another of the victims. Like Nwoye, he was also clearly in pain. Again, there was also no way of determining his own details, particularly what he was doing at the point when calamity struck and how he was able to cheat death, as he struggled to sleep, apparently to mitigate his own ordeal.
For John Chuma Nwosu, governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who came calling, it was a day to be with the victims, physically, psychologically, spiritually and emotionally, sharing their pains and sorrow. Beyond the financial succour he advanced to the victims and other patients at the hospital, he made a solemn vow – this will never happen in a state under my care!
Consoling the families of the victims, he expressed confidence that their wards would recover fully to the glory of God, adding that as a staunch Catholic, he had absolute trust that with the intercession of Mother Mary they would get the healing which they had come to seek in the hospital.
“I can assure you that nothing will happen to them. You have already put your confidence in God. All of us that are here, we’re going to put you in our prayers. We say, ndo nu! Take heart, for all will be well. My name is John Chuma Nwosu. The meaning of Chuma is God Knows Everything. God knows we’re going to be here today,” Nwosu, who also doled out financial largesse to another victim – a spinal cord injury patient after praying for his recovery.
From every evidence, it was clear that Nwosu was so hit with the impact of what he saw in the hospital that it formed the core of his message throughout the day’s activities, which took him to the Abba Market in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state and during his visit to Igwe Robert Eze (Okofia v1) of Ukpo in the same local government, where he strengthened his vow that his government would do things differently.
At the palace of the Anambra foremost monarch, where he apologised for coming late, he had explained the reason for doing so as occasioned by his decision to visit the hospital first to commiserate with the victims of the shooting, which he said was a clear evidence of the bad governance in the state.
“I’m a man known for keeping time and never be late to scheduled occasions. But I had to rush to see our people, who were shot at Bright Street, Onitsha two days ago. Please accept my apologies. I’ve heard your admonitions in your prayers, where you told us to emulate the records of Nnamdi Azikiwe and M.I. Okpara. I hereby promise that we’re not only going to do that, we’ll even attempt to do more.
“This is what are contained in our seven-point agenda captured as SHEEEMS – where S stands for Security, H stands for Health, first E stands for Education, second E stands for Economy, and third E stands for Environments, while M stands for Markets and S stands for Social Welfare. Igwe regarding our social welfare – you know that science tells us that once a man gets to 50 years, he should go and check himself for such conditions like prostrate problems or anything. But you’ll be surprised that in the entire Anambra, there is nowhere you have a cancer diagnostic centre. None.
“That of UNTH has packed up. So, what happens is that people now resort to going to Lagos for diagnosis. Either you go to the Duchess Hospital in Ikeja or Luth. But in Anambra State, in fact, the entire Eastern Region, there is no single cancer diagnostic centre.
“In that of Security, our governor has stayed for three years with Anambra suffering the worst form of insecurity for that period. In January this year, he went and brought people who cover their faces that nobody could identify or know where they came from. They cover their faces because they’re not from here. Igwe, I know you’re widely-travelled. I know there’s nowhere else in Nigeria that you see men carrying gun and covering their faces in the name of security.
“A visiting white man that sees that will be traumatised and will never come back. Even in Enugu State, you don’t have such a thing. But our strategy will be different. we’re going to use the conventional security, that is the police. We’re going to provide them with further enhanced training, particularly on how to engage with civilian community. we’re going to upgrade their salaries and allowances, pay them well in addition from what they get from the Federal Government.
“We’ll provide them with life-insurance benefits, so that they will throw everything in the job, knowing that if anything happens to them, their families would be provided for. These are the incentives they will need to work optimally. We will equip them with optimally also and provide them with functional equipment including brand new vehicles as opposed to the Tokumbo, which those the state government is providing now.
“Where in this world does a government buy used vehicles. How do you determine the cost of such vehicles. Government buys new vehicles not only for optimal functionality, but also accountability. You have to evaluate the value of those vehicles. When Peter Obi was in office, he was the one that gave Innocent Chukwuma, our son and brother the money to expand the INNOSON Motors factory by giving him one single order of N3billion and asking him to supply to security operatives, hospitals.
“That’s how the companies you hear their names in Asia and other parts of the world took off. An individual doesn’t have the money to invest in such large capital-intensive concerns. You must be supported by your government. Ogun State has today opened an international cargo airport. Our brothers in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria and the world must be supported with incentives. They must be supported with such government interventions as tax incentives – five or 10 years tax-free incentives for their businesses.
“Today, since our governor came in, our people have virtually left the state – scattered all over the country. Many of those who used to do business in Onitsha have all relocated to Asaba. All these could be traced to poor or absence of insecurity that has ravaged the state. But we’re going to do things differently when we come in.
“As I told you, my name in John Chukwuma Nwosu from Odida Nnewi. I’m an ex-seminarian. I was a student of All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha. I left seminary school in 1981 after being Assistant Secretary to Cardinal Francis Arinze when he was the Archbishop of Onitsha and later Secretary to the Catholic Women Organisation. From there I went to read Computer Science at IMT and later Economics at University of Lagos.
“I own the company known as Jetlinks Limited, an ICT company of over 31 years, with offices in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Enugu, Nnewi, Ghana and Liberia. With my experience in ICT, we’ll use Artificial Intelligence-powered CCTV cameras, installed at strategic centres including our borders, back it with a strong control centre at the state capital.
“We’ll have them in the exit location around Ihiala, Onitsha Head Bridge, down to Amansea, Uga and scattered around other major cities around Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi. Thereafter, we shall advice our people to register and get their National Identity Number – NIN – I was managing the NIN database of NIMC (National Identity Management Commission) until recently. Once that is done, if you commit any crime, once the camera captures your face your identity is known immediately.
“Igwe, what I’m saying is not political talks. It is already happening in Enugu State. Fashola achieved that in Lagos. Whoever lives in Lagos will tell you that you no longer hear shootings anyhow because people are being watched and the Operation Rapid Response is there. That is why Lagos is calm. But we’re going to even bring a stronger, more efficient and more effective model that is so airtight that nothing will escape.
“That is the way our economy must return. We must revitalise Anambra economy. If go to Asaba at the weekend, particularly Sunday night, what you see is like a carnival and like Dubai, because our governor, left security has deteriorated so much.” Igwe, this is our story. This is our promise. This is our mandate for the people.”
No doubt, to many ears, especially people from Anambra, Nwosu’s message is now like preaching to the converted. Last Sunday in Lagos, where he met with the creme of Anambra indigenes resident in the state, the question of insecurity took the centre of discussion.
Coincidentally, in another hall at the Colonades Hotel, Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, venue of the parley, House of Integrity Social Club, whose membership traverses not only was having their own gathering. It was the yearly New Yam Festival, otherwise known as Iri Ji. The implication of such a traditional ceremony being marked in Lagos, instead of the South East, adumbrated the sad picture of the Igbo story today.
In August 2024, the nation was seized with the sad news of how a group of gunmen abducted Patrick Agha Mba, Commissioner for Youth Development in Anambra State after killing his wife Chizoba. The Mbas were on their way to Abuja, the nation’s capital when they were attacked by the gunmen. Their mission was to attend the wedding of Adaora, daughter of Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Anambra State.
The implications of that development, both in the optics and the relevance are as obvious as they are compelling. If the first family of a state by virtue of the the governor could not be comfortable enough to hold the marriage rites of their daughter – the first daughter of the state in Anambra due to insecurity, who else would?
Indeed, many had in past cried out at what considered a taboo when cultural activities, such as burials, marriages, chieftaincy rites, iri ji, amongst others were shifted to safer grounds of Lagos, Abuja and other towns. The practice was ended when the governor of Peter Obi, unleashed its arsenal against the hoodlums behind the crime and chased them out of town for the state to be declared as the safest in the country. Today the phenomenon has returned with greater intensity, with the selfsame Soludo, showing no evidence of possessing the clue to end the orgy.
Instead of finding the solution, the governor and his government, have worsened the situation by his own model of unleashing his henchmen, whose modus operandi, includes turning the guns they are supposed to use in protecting the society on the same people they were charged to protect, of which the Onitsha massacre has now become a demonstrable example. Tragedy!
Igboanugo, Director, Media and Publicity, John Chuma Nwosu Governorship Campaign Council of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Seyi Adewunmi, President of the Lagos Country Club (LCC), launched into his third term in office on Tuesday, with the eternal words with which William Shakespeare depicted the pleas of King Richard 11 to British noblemen at daggers-drawn in his forecourt, some 431 years ago – forgive, forget, reconcile and be agreed.
It was his way of offering his olive branch to seek healing for members still lacerated with old wounds of the bitter battle for the soul of the club, which ended up in courtrooms after failure to settle it inside the games-room, the tennis courts and other troubleshooting arenas.
Flanked by his wife, Ify, whose contribution he lavishly acknowledged, Adewunmi, at his inauguration at the club’s main hall, apparently recalling the incident, which nearly crippled affairs at the family club, said: “To those who are still aggrieved, I speak to you now, directly and without condition. Whatever the disagreement, the Club is bigger than any single dispute, and its future is far more important than any lingering bitterness.
“Whatever the words that were said or the decisions that felt unjust, I invite you, today, to lay it down. No dispute is worth dividing us. I extend to you my open hand and my open heart. This is your club. It needs you. I need you.
“The chapter we are about to write is better written together and it MUST be written. So please sheathe your swords. Come home. The gates are open, the seats are ready, and the work is too important for any of us to sit it out.”
The President, who was full of praises for the club’s Board of Trustees, was particularly enthused with the contributions of Aare Kola Oyefeso, the leader of the exulted body, whom he described as “a conscience and compass of this club,” for donating his wealth of experience.
Hear him: “To our Board of Trustees, and to Chief Kola Oyefeso in particular, I offer my deepest respect. You have been the still, small voice of wisdom in the seasons of noise.
“Every time this Presidency needed an elder’s hand on the shoulder, you were there. The Management Council and the Board have not merely coexisted during my tenure, we have collaborated, and the Club is better for it. I am indeed very grateful sir.
Expressing similar gratitude to other members of the Management Council Officers and the Chairmen of the various Sections and their Committees as well as the members, he enjoined them to prepare for the task ahead.
He added: “I see you all. I greet you all. And I am profoundly glad to be standing here, still standing, before you today. Let me begin with a confession. When I first stood in this position three years ago, I made promises. Big promises. The kind that sound magnificent from a podium and look somewhat different at seven in the morning when the contractor has not shown up and the cheque has not cleared….but I did not run away.
“I did not make excuses. I did not hide behind procedure or blame my predecessors. I rolled up my sleeves, as you well know I am rather fond of doing, and I worked. Two terms. Hundreds of meetings. Thousands of decisions. One attempted character assassination which, I am glad to report, the character survived.
“And today, you have returned me unopposed for a third and final term. Not because I cannot be challenged. Not because the road ahead is smooth.
“But because you looked at my record, you weighed me as a man, you made your assessment, and you made your verdict. I receive this mandate with the full weight of gratitude and the full fire of purpose. Lagos Country Club — your President is back. And this time, we will finish the work.”
He also expressed gratitude for various members of the club, who had supported in many ways to keep it going, recalling particularly the donation of equipment worth millions of naira by Tunji Amosu, the Vice President of the club, saying such a selfless gesture defined the idea behind LCC as a family club.
Hear him: “He (Amosu) reached into his own pocket, deep into his pocket I might add, and donated equipment worth millions of Naira to our new clinic. Millions. I want to be clear: this was not government allocation. This was not a corporate write-off. This was one man saying, ‘I believe in this Club enough to invest my own resources in its wellbeing.’ That is the spirit of Lagos Country Club at its finest, and it deserves to be celebrated.
“But let me also say that greatness is not only measured in millions. Gifts are never less precious than the grand gesture, and for this reason, I want to honour those who gave what they had, and gave it gladly. Confidence Yunusa (D12848) donated pillows to our clinic, and before you smile, those pillows matter. They speak of someone who thought about the comfort of a sick fellow member on a sick bed. That is love in action.
“Also, Femi Oduwole (D14027) gave us a water dispenser. Clean water. To all who gave in any measure: this Club sees you, this Management Council thanks you, the Board of Trustees appreciates you and history, as I speak is recording you.”
By Sunny Igboanugo
Despite consistent usage, it has remained a powerful reality, the age-long saying that the drum sounds for a great man – in life and at death. Rather than becoming a tiring cliché its reality continues to emerge as demonstrable evidence from time to time.
So, when on Sunday, October 26, 2025, the cap lowered on the head of Ben-Chuks Nwosu – astute lawyer, consummate politician, inimitable humanist, gifted public speaker and foremost community leader, it was not just another historic event, many of which have trailed him over the years, but a clear statement on the persona of the former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly – one meant to capture his import as a man who has conquered his territory and etched his name permanently on the sands of time.
The versatile lawyer and politician, was among the influential figures assembled for special recognition by Igwe Keneth Orizu 111, Monarch of the Nnewi ancient kingdom – one of the iconic traditional stools in Anambra State – to mark his 100 years of age and 62 years on the throne, as one of the features of the historic event.
The monarch, the oldest and longest reigning king in Nigeria was emphatic on why Nwosu made that list – it was an acknowledgement of his positive contributions, not only to the development of the ancient town, but to the advancement of humanity in general through his engagements in many aspects, especially his chosen career of law and his vocation as a politician.
Ostensibly, the royal father wanted to make that statement both as part of the records of his reign and to demonstrate the essence of the biblical saying – to whom much is given, much is expected – and how this son on of Nnewi land had over time, fits that bill perfectly.
For instance, not only the monarch, the people of Anambra, if not the conscious world, bore and still bear witnesses to how, the primus inter pares of the Anambra legislature, Nwosu unsheathed his sword from the scabbards to confront the political hounds that attacked the state at that time, in defence of his territory – democracy.
The echoes of that historic period in the state, have continued to reverberate across the firmament, while the imprimatur has continued to be evident in demonstrably bold terms even now, as the doyen has again donated himself to yet a fresh battle – that of rescuing the people of Anambra from the abyss of despair as the state approaches the edge of the precipice where the current minders are driving it, through bad policies and unwholesome politics.
Currently, the Chief of Staff (CoS) of the John Chuma Nwosu (JCN) Campaign Council, the ex-lawmaker, has become a central voice for the new advocacy in Anambra by JCN – the man, who has taken it as duty to rescue the state and reverse the evil political vehicle, fast galloping towards that inevitable destruction.
Ndubuisi Nwobu, Deputy Governorship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), at the hosting of members of the council at a reception organised at his Nnewi country home, shortly after the event at the Igwe’s palace, spared no words in acknowledging this aspect of the former Speaker’s persona, particularly his contributions to both politics and human development in Anambra State and beyond.
Nwosu takes traditional greetings with Igwe Orizu
For Nwobu, himself one of the biggest names in Anambra political arena, bearing the scars of its different political wars, it was a recognition of a fellow warrior in the battlefield and a colleague in arms, whose contributions are vital for the mission at hand.
The former Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area and former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who represented the governorship candidate at the event was emphatic in guaranteeing that Nwosu would neither relent or be deterred by the arsenal of war being assembled by the anti-democratic, anti-progressive and clearly negative forces in the state, who seem intent on relentlessly asphyxiating it of life.
Hear him: “There is greater work ahead and I have no doubt in my mind that you’ll live up to expectation, because your passion for the service to mankind is exceptional. Whatever you set your mind on, you pursue it with so much gusto and vigour, as if your life depends on it. For you, there’s always no going back.
“Congratulations. The entire campaign council greets you. We thank you for what you have done and have no hesitation in our belief that with your contributions to this onerous task, we’re going to triumph. Remain strong. May the good Lord continue to strengthen you in the name of Jesus.”
Before Nwobu spoke, Prof. Zelinjo Igweze, Director, Women Mobilisation and Dr. CC Okeke, Deputy Director General (DDG) Political Matters, had also spoken in the same manner, paying glowing tribute to the Nnewi-born political juggernaut.
Ike Iwenofu, accomplished Engineer and Director General of the council, had earlier in his tribute on behalf of the members, also acknowledged Nwosu’s towering profile and invaluable contributions to the campaign efforts.
He wrote: “The entire John Chuma Nwosu Campaign Council bursts with joy as we celebrate our indefatigable Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Barr. Benchuks Nwosu, on this glorious day of honour and recognition by His Royal Majesty, Igwe Dr. Kenneth Orizu III of Nnewi, during the historic Centenary Birthday Celebration.
“This royal honour is not just a mark of distinction, but a celebration of character — a recognition of your steadfast loyalty, uncommon humility, and tireless service to humanity and our great movement. You have continued to distinguish yourself as a pillar of strength and a shining example of leadership, loyalty, and integrity. Your honour today reflects the values we hold dear — service, excellence, and commitment to the greater good.
“We rejoice with you, Ogbalike Nwachinemelu, and pray that this recognition opens even greater doors of favour, grace, and impact in your journey ahead. A thousand cheers to a worthy son, a noble leader, and a loyal ally!”
Nwosu with Nwobu
But for the man of the moment, the event evoked memories decked in family history, particularly depicting a family of warriors, whose essence was captured in the roles they played in defence of the territorial integrity of the Obuofia Nnewi enclave in the years of yore.
He tells the story: “My father, Nwoke Modo was a warrior and it became his assignment to move from Obuofia to wage wars against our attackers. Where we live now is called Agawana, meaning war trenches. So, Eze Ugbuonyanta, the great grandfather of the person that gave me this title today, named him Ogbalike. That means, when things get tough, he is invited.
“So, when this came up about a year ago, I told the Igwe that I had a senior brother, but they said the knew the history, but that this was given to me in recognition of the special role I played as Speaker, particularly during the impeachment saga (of former governor, Peter Obi.)
“They said I proved some genetic trails when I did not betray him as then Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Council and I did not betray Dr. Dozie Ikedife, who was the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. So, this has been in the making for more than a year. In line with tradition, I had to let my elder brother know and he gave his consent that I could go ahead and take our grandfather’s title. That’s what I have done today. Since he was a warrior, they felt that the role I had played in Anambra politics akin to that of a warrior, hence the title.”
With this historic aspect, it might no longer be surprising to anyone the line the former Speaker is toeing, why his battle-weary body is lacerated with the scars of war and why his path both in politics, law and other endeavours is strewn with courage and forthrightness. It lives in the family – an acknowledgement that Ogbalike Nnewi is not just a title, it is history!
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