– Says Staff were attacked and brutalized by Police and Youths
Mixed reactions have continued to trail the face-off between officials of the Environmental Transformation Company (ENTRACO) and security personnel at the Toronto Junction area, which allegedly led to the destruction of properties and injuries to several persons on both sides.
The controversy persists as different parties offer conflicting accounts in an apparent bid to sway public opinion.
Following the incident, which occurred on October 23rd and 24th, 2025, ENTRACO, in a press release signed by its spokesperson, Darlington Chidera Ibekwe (DCI), explained that the fracas began when one of its staff members, Mr. Emeka Nwaturuocha, popularly known as “General”, was allegedly attacked and assaulted by a police officer identified as Christian, attached to the Toronto Police Station, under the supervision of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Officer Pascal Nwankwo.
According to the release, Mr. Nwaturuocha was carrying out his lawful duties-ensuring that traders and motorists did not block the roads or violate environmental and traffic regulations-when the assault occurred.
Ibekwe further alleged that an individual identified as Asari, who oversees trading activities at Toronto Junction, had made several attempts to bribe and compromise ENTRACO officials, including the General Manager, Hon. Anthony Anyaehie, and the enforcement officer in charge of operations, Mr. Nwaturuocha, both of whom allegedly rejected the offers.
The statement added that ENTRACO officials had insisted on carrying out government directives aimed at ensuring effective environmental management and quality service delivery, “without minding whose ox is gored.”
According to ENTRACO, the Toronto Junction Market had been officially relocated by the Owerri North Local Government Council, necessitating enforcement of the relocation directive. However, some traders-allegedly motivated by personal interests-resisted the move and violently attacked ENTRACO officials who were carrying out a lawful assignment.
The official statement titled “IMO ENTRACO CONDEMNS BRUTAL ATTACK ON ITS OFFICIALS AT TORONTO JUNCTION, OWERRI” reads in part:“The attention of the Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) has been drawn to the unfortunate and unwarranted attack on its personnel at Toronto Junction, Owerri, on Thursday, 23rd October 2025, and Friday, 24th October 2025, by traders, hired youths, and officers attached to the Toronto Police Division.ENTRACO wishes to set the record straight and clarify the events surrounding this incident for the general public and the Government of Imo State.
1. On Thursday, 23rd October 2025, ENTRACO officer Mr. Emeka Nwaturuocha (“General”) was brutally attacked and assaulted by Officer Christian of the Toronto Police Station, under the supervision of DPO Officer Pascal Nwankwo.
The attack was completely unprovoked and occurred while Mr. Nwaturuocha was performing his legitimate duty of ensuring traders did not obstruct public roads or violate environmental regulations.
2. Investigations by ENTRACO revealed that Mr. Asari, who oversees trading at Toronto Junction, bribed officers of the Toronto Police Division with ₦300,000 and a promise of monthly settlements to provide illegal protection to traders operating along the road.
This alliance was allegedly formed to frustrate ENTRACO’s ongoing sanitation and relocation efforts.
3. Before this, Asari had approached ENTRACO’s General Manager, Hon. Anthony Anyaehie, offering ₦4 million to stop enforcement operations at Toronto Junction Market—an offer that was rejected. He later attempted to bribe Mr. Nwaturuocha twice, first with ₦500,000 and later ₦1 million, both of which were refused.
4. The Toronto Junction Market had been legally relocated by the Chairman of Owerri North LGA due to safety concerns. The area, according to ENTRACO, had become a haven for criminal activities, with workers from Leo9 Construction Company frequently attacked and robbed.
The illegal market also obstructs ongoing road expansion and beautification projects initiated by His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Executive Governor of Imo State.
5. Following the first attack on Thursday, ENTRACO officials returned the next day to enforce the relocation order but were again assaulted by traders and sponsored youths armed with stones, bottles, and locally made guns.
Several staff members, including the Director of Operations, Mr. Ifeanyi Nwokedi, sustained injuries; Mr. Nwokedi suffered a deep head wound, and another officer reportedly broke a leg.
ENTRACO strongly condemns the brutalization of its staff and the alleged collusion of certain security officers in acts that undermine lawful government operations. The Commission vows to ensure that all individuals involved in the attack are identified and prosecuted according to law.
The agency also urges the public to disregard misleading online narratives sponsored by persons allegedly working for Asari in a bid to distort the truth and mislead public opinion.
ENTRACO remains fully committed to the vision of Governor Hope Uzodimma to maintain a clean, safe, and orderly Imo State, and will not relent in its duties despite intimidation, threats, or bribery attempts.”
