Traders Stranded as Onitsha Main Market Remains Closed

Traders are stranded in Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State, following a one-week shutdown order issued by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo on Monday, after a sit-at-home order was observed.

Governor Soludo, who visited the market earlier, stated that the sit-at-home order is cancelled in the state, but traders failed to open their shops on Monday, which led to the enforcement of the order.

The governor made it clear that all residents of the state must adhere to the rules and policies.

In a viral video on Tuesday, traders appealed to Governor Soludo to consider alternative methods of resolving the crisis, as people obeyed the sit-at-home order out of fear of harm.

He noted that the main gate of the market was locked, leaving traders stranded as they could not access their shops.

“Governor Soludo has done what he said. The market is locked, and everywhere is very rowdy. In a little time, security agencies will appear and pursue people who also assemble later. Another method should be used to bring peace. People are not happy leaving their business on Mondays but they had to do it for their own safety. The governor should consider the safety of the people.’