By Ayo Kehinde
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, on Monday, ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders failed to comply with the state government’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.
The governor issued the directive during an on-the-spot assessment of the market, accompanied by senior government officials and security operatives. He warned that the closure could be extended if traders persist in defying government instructions, adding that security agencies had sealed the market to ensure full compliance.
Describing the situation as economic sabotage, Soludo said the government would not allow a few individuals to undermine public safety and disrupt commercial activities in the state.
“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”, he said.
Soludo further warned that if the market failed to reopen after the one-week shutdown, it would be sealed for one month.
“You either decide that you are going to trade here or you go elsewhere. I am very serious about this”, he added.
The scene at the market was marked by tense enforcement, as a joint task force comprising the police, army, and other security agencies secured the perimeter to prevent any breach of the order.
