Heavy Security At Onitsha Market As Gov Soludo Enforces One-Week Shutdown
Tension gripped Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State on Tuesday morning as Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive to close the market for one week took effect, following traders’ continued observance of Monday’s sit-at-home.
Hundreds of security personnel, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Department of State Services (DSS), were deployed to barricade entrances and prevent traders from accessing their shops.
Video footage obtained by SaharaReporters showed armed operatives stationed at key points, turning back traders who attempted to enter.
Many traders openly criticised the governor, accusing him of punishing innocent business owners to appease the federal government.
“You cannot tell me when to open my shop or not,” one trader said. “Some shop owners travelled to Lagos, some even went overseas to buy goods. Why should everybody be punished?”
Others questioned the effectiveness of the enforcement, arguing that the sit-at-home issue was beyond state control. “Some people now use Mondays to rest from the long week of business. Sit-at-home has even become a blessing in disguise,” a trader said.
Political undertones were also suggested, with one trader linking the shutdown to support for the imprisonment of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Governor Soludo ordered the closure after an unscheduled visit revealed most traders had defied repeated government directives by staying home on Monday, January 26.
The sit-at-home practice, previously linked to separatist agitations and calls for Kanu’s release, has been officially abolished by the Anambra State Government to revive economic activity.
“Any market, shop or plaza that refuses to open on Mondays will be shut for one week, and repeated violations will attract stiffer sanctions,” Soludo said, describing the closures as a measure to stop “deliberate sabotage of the state’s economy.”
A senior government official said the shutdown is intended to enforce compliance and protect the state economy.
“This is not about witch-hunting anybody. It is about enforcing the law and ensuring that our economy functions optimally. Anambra cannot continue to lose billions of naira every Monday,” the official said.
Despite the government’s stance, traders fear the closure will worsen their already fragile economic situation. “Closing the market for one week means no income, no food, no school fees. Government should find a better way to address this problem,” a female trader lamented.
As security operatives maintain a tight grip on the market, uncertainty lingers over Africa’s largest open-air market, while debates over the sit-at-home order, insecurity, and political grievances in the South-East continue to divide opinions.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
