By Mick Oseji, Asaba
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has given directive for the closure of the bustling Onitsha Main Market for a week over traders’ continued compliance Monday sit-at-home order of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Governor Soludo had earlier directed residents and indigenes of Anambra State, especially business and public spaces to disregard the sit – at – home order and open for business on Mondays but the traders kept defying his order.
However, angered by their defiance during an on-site visit to the main market, along with some of his aides and other government officials on Monday, Soludo gave the order for the closure for a week, warning that it could be extended if traders failed to comply with the directive.
According to him, security agencies have sealed the market to enforce the order.
He described the directive as the latest—and perhaps most drastic— step in a long battle for control of economic life in the South-East on Monday.
Soludo lamented that despite repeated assurances of enhanced security and appeals to reclaim public places, many traders at the popular market once again chose to keep their stalls locked.
According to him, their absence amounted to a quiet rebellion that nonetheless spoke volumes about the lingering climate of fear.
Soludo said, “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, however, issued a stern warning that if the market fails to reopen after the one-week shutdown, it will 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,” the governor added.
