ENTRACO Alleges Bribery, Police Collusion After Violent Clash at Toronto Urratta Road, Owerri

The Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) has accused traders, hired youths, and police officers of orchestrating violent attacks on its personnel during an enforcement operation at Toronto Junction, Urratta Road, Owerri.

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Darlington Ibekwe, the agency condemned what it described as an “unprovoked and brutal assault” on its officials on October 23 and 24, 2025, allegedly carried out by individuals resisting government-sanctioned environmental and relocation directives.

According to ENTRACO, one of its officers, Mr. Emeka Nwaturuocha, popularly known as General, was assaulted by a police officer identified as Officer Christian, attached to the Toronto Police Division under the supervision of DPO Paschal Nwankwo. The agency said the attack occurred while Nwaturuocha was ensuring that traders did not obstruct public roads.

ENTRACO further alleged that a man identified as ‘Asari’, who oversees trading around the Toronto Junction Market, bribed officers of the Toronto Police Division with ₦300,000 and promised monthly payments to protect illegal roadside trading. The agency claimed that Asari had earlier offered ₦4 million to its General Manager, Hon. Anthony Anyaehie, and later attempted to bribe Nwaturuocha with ₦500,000 and ₦1 million, all of which were rejected.

The Commission maintained that the Toronto Junction Market had already been legally relocated by the Owerri North Local Government Chairman due to safety concerns and its link to criminal activity in the area. ENTRACO also cited the obstruction of ongoing road expansion and beautification projects initiated by Governor Hope Uzodimma as a key reason for the enforcement drive.

On returning to the site the next day, ENTRACO officials were again attacked by armed youths and traders wielding stones, bottles, and locally made weapons. The agency said several staff members were injured, including Director of Operations, Mr. Ifeanyi Nwokedi, who sustained a serious head injury, while another official suffered a broken leg.

ENTRACO condemned what it called the “collusion of security officers” in the assault and vowed that all perpetrators would face prosecution. It also urged the public to disregard “false narratives” allegedly sponsored by individuals seeking to distort facts about the incident.

“The Commission remains steadfast in supporting Governor Uzodimma’s vision for a clean, safe, and orderly Imo State,” the statement added.