Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week following traders’ failure to comply with the state government’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.
The governor issued the directive on Monday during an on-site visit to the market, accompanied by top government officials and security personnel. He warned that the shutdown could be extended if traders continue to defy the directive, adding that security agencies have sealed the market to enforce compliance.
Soludo described the action as the latest and most decisive step in the state’s ongoing effort to reclaim economic activity and restore normalcy in the South-East. He said that despite repeated assurances of improved security and appeals to traders to reopen their shops, many market operators once again kept their stalls locked.
According to the governor, the widespread absence of traders amounted to economic sabotage driven by fear rather than reason.
“The government cannot stand by while a few individuals willfully undermine public safety and disregard official directives meant to restore normalcy,” Soludo said. “This is plain economic sabotage. The closure is a protective measure for law-abiding citizens.”
He issued a stern warning that if the market fails to reopen after the one-week shutdown, it would be sealed for one month. “You either decide to trade here or go elsewhere. I am very serious about this,” he added.
A joint security task force comprising the police, army and other agencies was deployed to secure the market perimeter as the gates remained locked.
The development underscores the broader struggle to end the Monday sit-at-home, with attention now focused on whether traders will resume business when the market is scheduled to reopen next week.
