Security Agencies Shut Onitsha Market To Enforce Gov Soludo’s Directive

Annabel Ndifon 

Security operatives have sealed off the Onitsha Main Market to enforce the one-week closure ordered by Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, following traders’ defiance of the government’s Monday sit-at-home directive.

Early Tuesday morning, hundreds of security personnel were deployed around the market, with Armoured Personnel Carriers and Hilux patrol vans barricading major entry and exit points.

The closure followed an on-the-spot inspection by Governor Soludo on Monday, during which he ordered the shutdown after traders and market leaders failed to resume business activities, despite repeated appeals by the state government to restore normal economic operations.

Soludo warned that the closure could be extended if traders fail to comply with the directive, adding that security agencies have sealed the market to enforce the order.

He described the development as the latest—and perhaps most drastic—salvo in a protracted struggle over control of economic life in the South-East.

The state government said that the continuous Monday sit-at-home costs Anambra State about N8bn weekly, and the South East region N19.6bn, while disrupting work and other economic activities.

“The government cannot stand by while a few individuals willfully undermine public safety and disregard official directives meant to restore normalcy. This is plain economic sabotage. We are not going to allow this.

“The closure is a protective measure for law-abiding citizens,” Soludo said, warning that if traders fail to comply, the market could remain sealed for up to one month.

The security personnel prevented anybody from moving into the market premises while the shops remained locked, as traders and other people who had come to do business in the market were seen loitering around, watching the security personnel.

Our correspondent observed that during the enforcement, security agencies—including police, army, and other joint task forces—were deployed to enforce the closure, while barricades were placed around the market perimeter to ensure compliance.

Some of the traders who had come to the market were seen gathered at various corners discussing and analysing the development.

At some point, the market would become rowdy and chaotic as the traders ran helter-skelter as the security personnel moved around the premises while enforcing order. 

This led to some confrontations with the security personnel.

This development, it was further gathered, was also to counter the counter-directive given by the Indigenous People of Biafra, who, in response to the governor’s directive, have urged residents and traders to defy the closure and resume trading on Tuesday, describing the governor’s action as “disappointing and unacceptable.”