Security operatives, including soldiers and policemen, on Tuesday enforced the one-week closure of the Onitsha Main Market ordered by the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, amid protests by traders and sharp criticism from the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Hundreds of security personnel were deployed to the market as early as 6am, with armoured personnel carriers and patrol vans stationed at strategic points to block access and ensure full compliance with the directive.
Soludo had, during a visit to the market on Monday, ordered the shutdown after traders and market leaders allegedly ignored repeated appeals by the state government to resume business on Mondays, despite the sit-at-home order associated with IPOB.
The state government said the persistent sit-at-home had been costing Anambra about ₦8bn weekly, while losses across the South-East were estimated at ₦19.6bn, with severe disruption to economic and social activities.
“The government cannot fold its arms while a few individuals deliberately undermine public order and defy lawful directives aimed at restoring normalcy. This amounts to economic sabotage, and it will not be tolerated.
“The closure is a protective step taken in the interest of law-abiding citizens,” the governor said, warning that the market could remain shut for up to one month if compliance was not achieved.
It was observed that joint security teams drawn from the police, army and other agencies barricaded the market’s perimeter, turning back traders who attempted to gain entry as shops remained under lock and key.
Only food vendors and sachet water sellers were seen operating around the area, while groups of traders gathered nearby to discuss the development.
Tension briefly rose when security operatives moved around the market premises, causing traders to scamper for safety and leading to minor confrontations.
The situation was further complicated by a counter-directive from IPOB, which urged traders to ignore the governor’s order and reopen the market on Tuesday, describing the closure as unacceptable.
Protests later broke out within and around the market, as traders marched through adjoining streets, chanting solidarity songs in support of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Placards were displayed and slogans such as “Soludo, we no go gree,” “Say no to Monday,” and “Government did not open business for us” were chanted, while security operatives struggled to keep the crowd from escalating the situation.
A trader, who identified himself simply as Tochi, condemned the closure, saying it was unfair to traders.
“It is wrong for the governor to shut down the market without proper consultation. Government did not establish business for anybody.
“Some traders have perishable goods that may get spoilt before the week ends.
The Monday sit-at-home is something we observe in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu. Nobody has the right to stop us,” he said.
Reacting, IPOB condemned the heavy security presence at the market, describing it as excessive.
In a statement on Tuesday, its spokesman, Emma Powerful, accused the governor of deploying security forces against innocent traders.
He called on security agencies to exercise restraint and urged protesters to remain peaceful, insisting that IPOB was committed to non-violence and dialogue.
The Anambra State Police Command, however, said the deployment was solely to maintain law and order.
In a statement, the police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the market was closed in line with the directive of the state government and that adequate security had been deployed in and around Onitsha to prevent a breakdown of public order.
He added that traders seen in viral videos were sensitised on the need to cooperate with government directives, assuring residents that the situation remained calm and under control.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Onitsha Main Market backed the governor’s decision, describing it as timely.
The Chairman of the market, Chijioke Okpalaugo, said the closure was necessary to address the economic losses associated with the sit-at-home.
He appealed to the governor to temper justice with mercy by reviewing the decision, while urging traders to remain calm and law-abiding.