Traders Set Police Van On F!re Over Soludo’s Attempt to Illegally Shutdown Onitsha Main Market

Traders Set Police Van On Fire Over Soludo’s Attempt to Illegally Shutdown Onitsha Main Market

Traders at Onitsha Main Market clashed with security operatives and burn down patrol vehicle on Monday following the Anambra State Government’s move to enforce a shutdown of the commercial hub, triggering unrest that reportedly led to the burning of a police vehicle within the market area.
The confrontation stems from Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive aimed at compelling traders to comply with the state’s stance against the long-running Monday sit-at-home practice in the South-East. The government has repeatedly insisted that markets and businesses must open fully on Mondays, arguing that continued closure harms the state’s economy and undermines public order. Authorities reportedly sealed the market after many traders failed to open for business, a move that immediately generated tension.
Eyewitness accounts and videos circulating online show large crowds of aggrieved traders protesting the enforcement action, chanting and expressing anger over what they described as an unfair and heavy-handed decision. Many traders say they are caught between government orders and fears for their safety, claiming that past violence associated with sit-at-home enforcement has made them cautious about opening shops on Mondays.
Security personnel were deployed to maintain order and ensure compliance with the closure directive. However, the situation escalated as protesters resisted, leading to clashes in and around the market. During the unrest, a police van was reportedly set ablaze. Authorities have yet to release full official details about the extent of damage or whether arrests were made, but the incident has heightened tensions in the commercial city.
Onitsha Main Market is one of the largest trading centers in West Africa, serving thousands of traders and acting as a major supply hub for goods distributed across Nigeria and beyond. Any prolonged shutdown has significant economic consequences, not only for traders and their families but also for transporters, suppliers, and consumers who rely on the market’s daily activity.
The crisis highlights the ongoing struggle in the South-East over the enforcement of the Monday sit-at-home order. While the Anambra State Government maintains that normal economic and social activities must continue, many residents and business owners remain wary due to security concerns. This gap between policy enforcement and public fear has created a volatile situation that can quickly spiral into unrest, as seen in Onitsha.
As tensions remain high, observers say dialogue between market leaders, traders’ associations, and the state government may be crucial in preventing further violence and restoring stability. For now, the situation underscores how deeply the sit-at-home issue continues to affect everyday life and commerce in the region.