The Anambra State Police Command has explained that the strong security presence at the Onitsha Main Market is to ensure law and order, following Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive on the market’s closure.
Soludo ordered the shutdown on Monday after an on-the-spot assessment showed that traders and market leaders failed to open for business, despite repeated appeals by the state government to end the Monday sit-at-home and resume normal commercial activities.
The state government said the continued sit-at-home costs Anambra about ₦8 billion every Monday, while the wider South-East region loses an estimated ₦19.6 billion weekly, in addition to disruptions to work and economic life.
Reacting to the situation, Soludo said the government would not tolerate actions that threaten public order and economic stability.
“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, warning that the market could remain closed for as long as one month if non-compliance persists.
On Tuesday morning, a heavy presence of security operatives was observed in and around the market, with armoured personnel carriers and Hilux vans stationed at key points to restrict movement.
Addressing public concerns, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the deployment was strictly for security purposes.
He said, “The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public that the Onitsha Main Market has been re-closed in compliance with the directive of the Anambra State Government, as approved by His Excellency, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, Executive Governor of Anambra State.
“In furtherance of this directive, adequate security has been deployed in and around the market, as well as other strategic locations within Onitsha, by the Police in collaboration with other security agencies, to maintain law and order and prevent any breach of public peace.
“Meanwhile, traders seen gathered around the market on a viral video were addressed and sensitised on the need to cooperate fully with government directives in the interest of public safety, security, and economic stability.
“The Command assures members of the public that the situation in Onitsha and across Anambra State remains calm and under control. Continuous monitoring is ongoing to forestall any breakdown of law and order. Further updates will be communicated as necessary.”
Punch Online had earlier reported that security agencies barricaded the Onitsha Main Market to enforce the one-week closure ordered by the governor, following traders’ defiance of the Monday sit-at-home directive.