Day three of the temporary closure of Onitsha Main Market by Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has left one of West Africa’s largest commercial centres eerily deserted, with traders and shoppers absent and security personnel sealing off all entry points.
The usually bustling market, known for its dense crowds and constant flow of goods and cash, remains at a standstill as residents and traders await a crucial meeting scheduled for Wednesday, where authorities are expected to outline the next steps and possibly announce a reopening plan.
The state government has presented the shutdown as a measure aimed at “restoring normalcy” and encouraging a return to full economic activity, particularly amid ongoing disruptions to business operations in parts of the South-East.
However, the decision has drawn growing criticism from traders’ groups and policy analysts, who argue that closing a major economic artery to compel compliance may worsen, rather than resolve, existing economic challenges.
Critics say the move risks deepening losses for thousands of traders who depend on daily turnover to meet basic needs, at a time when businesses are already under strain from inflation, weak consumer demand and persistent insecurity.
They also question the timing of the closure, pointing to recent violent incidents in communities such as Nawfia and Ihiala as evidence that fear, rather than unwillingness to trade, is the primary factor keeping markets and streets quiet.
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Security analysts warn that forcing traders to reopen or punishing non-compliance without first addressing safety concerns could undermine public confidence in government policy.
They argue that economic activity cannot be sustained in an atmosphere of uncertainty, where traders fear for their lives and goods.
“Commerce follows confidence,” one analyst noted. “Without credible security assurances, shutting down markets or mandating business activity sends mixed signals and exposes a gap between policy intent and lived reality.”
As the shutdown enters its third day, uncertainty continues to hang over Onitsha’s trading community. For many families whose livelihoods are tied directly to the market, the closure represents not just a pause in business, but a deepening sense of vulnerability.
Observers say that unless the underlying security issues are tackled decisively, the temporary closure may do little to restore normalcy—and could instead compound the economic anxiety it seeks to resolve.