TRADERS KICK AS SECURITY ENFORCES ENFORCE ONITSHA MAIN MARKET CLOSURE
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Traders at the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State have expressed mixed reactions as security agencies enforced the state government’s directive shutting the market, with many lamenting the economic hardship caused by the action.
While some traders criticised the closure, describing it as unfair, they argued that many business owners had recently travelled to major markets within and outside the country to restock ahead of post-yuletide sales and were ready to resume business. They warned that the shutdown would worsen hardship, especially for traders who depend on daily sales for survival.
Others, however, commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the decision, insisting that obedience to directives issued by a recognised state authority was more important than compliance with orders from unidentified non-state actors. Some traders also appealed to the governor to sustain the heavy security presence next Monday, saying they were prepared to open their shops.
On Tuesday morning, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Department of State Services were deployed to barricade all major entrances to the market. Additional security personnel were stationed at strategic points to prevent traders from gaining access to their shops.
Reacting to the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the security deployment was aimed at maintaining law and order in line with the state government’s directive. He urged traders to cooperate fully in the interest of public safety, security, and economic stability, assuring residents that security agencies would keep the situation in Onitsha and across Anambra State under control.
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Governor Soludo ordered the closure of the market following an unscheduled inspection on Monday, during which he observed that most traders had failed to open their shops, allegedly in compliance with the sit-at-home order imposed by non-state actors.
The state government has reiterated that Mondays are now regular working days and warned that any violation of the directive would attract stiffer sanctions. According to the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefoh, Anambra State loses an estimated ₦8 billion every Monday the Onitsha Main Market remains closed.
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