The Anambra State Police Command has explained that the heavy security presence at the Onitsha Main Market is aimed at maintaining law and order following Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive to close the market.

Governor Soludo ordered the closure on Monday after an on-the-spot assessment revealed 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 has warned that the continued sit-at-home costs Anambra State about ₦8 billion every Monday, while the wider South-East region reportedly loses an estimated ₦19.6 billion weekly, in addition to disruptions to economic and social activities.

Reacting to the development, Soludo said the government would not tolerate actions capable of undermining public order and economic stability.

“The government cannot stand by while a few individuals wilfully undermine public safety and disregard official directives meant to restore normalcy. This is plain economic sabotage. We are not going to allow this,” he said.

The governor added that the market could remain closed for up to one month if traders continue to defy government directives.

On Tuesday morning, a heavy presence of security operatives was observed in and around the Onitsha Main Market, with armoured personnel carriers and Hilux vans stationed at strategic points to restrict movement and enforce the closure.

Addressing public concerns, the Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the deployment was strictly for security purposes.

“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,” Ikenga said.

He explained that adequate security had been deployed in and around the market and other strategic locations in Onitsha, in collaboration with other security agencies, to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

Ikenga added that traders seen gathering around the market in a viral video were addressed and sensitised on the need to comply 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 breach of public peace. Further updates will be communicated as necessary,” he said.