Security operatives on Monday sealed the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State to enforce a one-week closure ordered by Governor Chukwuma Soludo over continued defiance of the sit-at-home directive.
The closure followed the governor’s inspection of the market, during which he observed that a large number of shops remained shut on a Monday despite repeated assurances by the state government that traders were safe to open for business.
Governor Soludo had earlier directed traders and residents to ignore the sit-at-home order and resume normal commercial activities, describing the practice as harmful to the state’s economy and livelihoods. He warned that persistent compliance with the sit-at-home amounted to economic sabotage and would no longer be tolerated.
To enforce the directive, security personnel were deployed to cordon off the market, sealing major entrances and preventing traders and customers from gaining access throughout the duration of the shutdown.
The state government said the one-week closure was meant to compel compliance and send a strong signal that economic activities must not be dictated by fear or illegal directives. Authorities also warned that the market could face a longer shutdown if traders fail to reopen fully after the expiration of the one-week period.
The sit-at-home order, which has disrupted business activities across parts of the South-East for years, has been repeatedly condemned by the Anambra State Government, which insists it is committed to restoring normalcy and protecting lawful economic activities in the state.
Reactions from traders and stakeholders remain mixed, with some expressing concern over the economic impact of the closure, while others see the move as a decisive step by the government to end recurring disruptions in one of West Africa’s largest commercial hubs.
Abuja Network News
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