Security seals Onitsha Market to enforce Soludo’s order

Security agencies on Tuesday barricaded the Onitsha Main Market to enforce a one-week closure ordered by Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, following traders’ defiance of the government’s Monday sit-at-home directive.

Hundreds of security personnel, including police, army, and joint task force officers, were deployed across the market, using Armoured Personnel Carriers and Hilux vans to block key access points. Barricades were placed around the market perimeter to prevent entry and ensure compliance.

The closure was ordered on Monday during an on-site inspection after traders and market leaders refused to open for business, ignoring repeated appeals from the government to resume normal economic activities. Governor Soludo warned that the closure could be extended if traders continued to defy the directive.

“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,” Soludo said, describing the measure as protective for law-abiding citizens. He added that if traders fail to comply, the market could remain closed for up to a month.

The state government noted that the ongoing Monday sit-at-home has cost Anambra State about N8 billion weekly and the South-East region N19.6 billion, while disrupting work and other economic activities.

During enforcement, shops remained locked, with traders and would-be customers loitering outside, observing the security personnel. Some moments of tension occurred as traders reacted to the presence of the security operatives, leading to minor confrontations.

The closure also counters a directive from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who had urged residents and traders to defy the governor’s order and resume trading, calling the government action “disappointing and unacceptable.”