Traders at Onitsha Main Market on Monday reopened for business in compliance with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive, ending the longstanding Monday sit-at-home order.
The governor had previously criticised market leaders for defying government instructions and ordered the market reopened, describing the “fear-enforced Monday sit-at-home” as a non-state mandate that restricts commerce and normalises weekly shutdowns.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while some stalls remained closed and a few traders loitered cautiously, others attended to customers. Some traders described the atmosphere as tense, citing lingering fear despite the official reopening, while others said they were present only to observe developments for safety reasons.
Major roads in Onitsha, Ogbaru, and Nnewi were largely deserted, with only a few vehicles in sight. At Ochanga Market, traders did not open stalls or display wares.
The reopening was welcomed by many traders and residents, who praised Soludo for what they described as a bold intervention. Trader Mr Oke Akachukwu said, “Opening on Mondays gives us more trading days and better chances to increase sales.”
NAN observed a strong security presence, with personnel patrolling the market as more traders gradually resumed operations.
