Normal commercial activities resumed at the Onitsha Main Market on Monday, with traders and shop owners reopening their shops for business.
The market had been shut down for one week on the orders of Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, following traders’ failure to comply with the state government’s directive to ignore the Monday sit-at-home order.
The governor issued the directive during an inspection visit to the market, warning that the closure could be extended if compliance was not achieved. Security agencies subsequently sealed the market to enforce the order.
By about 9:30 a.m. on Monday, more than 70 percent of shops along major sections of the market, including Lagos Line, Ado Line, Mandela Line, and White House Line, were open, with trading activities progressing smoothly.
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However, the situation differed on major roads in Onitsha, such as Onitsha-Owerri Road, Upper Iweka, and Mkpikpa Road, which remained largely deserted with minimal vehicular movement. Major motor parks in the area also stayed closed.
Heavy security presence was observed patrolling various parts of the market as more traders resumed operations. It was also gathered that approximately 10,000 shops have been marked for demolition.