HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE AT ONITSHA MARKET TO ENFORCE SHUTDOWN, KEEP ORDER
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The Anambra State Police Command has clarified that the heightened security presence at Onitsha Main Market is aimed at maintaining law and order following Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive to close the market.
Governor Soludo ordered the shutdown on Monday after an on-the-spot inspection revealed that traders and market leaders had failed to open for business, despite repeated appeals from the state government to end the Monday sit-at-home and resume normal commercial activities.
The state government noted that the continued sit-at-home costs Anambra State approximately ₦8 billion every Monday, while the broader South-East region loses an estimated ₦19.6 billion weekly, in addition to widespread disruptions to work and economic life.
Reacting to the situation, Soludo said the government would not tolerate actions that threaten public order and economic stability.
“The government cannot stand by while a few individuals willfully undermine public safety and ignore official directives intended to restore normalcy. This is plain economic sabotage. We will not allow it. The closure is a protective measure for law-abiding citizens,” he said, warning that the market could remain closed for up to a month if non-compliance continues.
On Tuesday morning, a heavy deployment of security operatives was visible in and around the market, including armoured personnel carriers and Hilux vans stationed at strategic points to restrict movement.
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Addressing public concerns, Police Public Relations Officer SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the deployment is strictly for security purposes.
“The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the public that the Onitsha Main Market has been re-closed in compliance with the directive of the Anambra State Government, as approved by His Excellency, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, Executive Governor of Anambra State,” SP Ikenga stated.
“In line with this directive, adequate security has been deployed in and around the market, as well as at other strategic locations within Onitsha, by the Police in collaboration with other security agencies, to maintain law and order and prevent any breach of public peace.
“Traders observed gathering around the market, as seen in a viral video, were addressed and sensitised on the importance of cooperating fully with government directives to safeguard public safety, security, and economic stability.
“The Command assures the public that the situation in Onitsha and across Anambra State remains calm and under control. Continuous monitoring is ongoing to prevent any breakdown of law and order. Further updates will be communicated as necessary.”
Security agencies barricaded Onitsha Main Market to enforce the one-week closure ordered by the governor, following traders’ defiance of the Monday sit-at-home directive.
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