The Onitsha South Local Government Area in Anambra State has sealed over 200 shops at the Bridge Head Market in Onitsha.

This action followed the traders’ failure to comply with the state government’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.

Local government authorities conducted a compliance monitoring exercise on Monday. The affected shops, located across six market lines, were found locked and unattended during the operation.

There were no commercial activities in the area on that day. Traders refused to open their shops for business despite the government’s clear directives mandating the resumption of normal trading activities.

The enforcement operation was led by the Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Emeka Orji, alongside the Council Secretary, Paul Onuachalla. Authorities sealed the entrances to the affected market lines and installed new padlocks to prevent access to the closed shops.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Orji described the traders’ actions as unfortunate and counterproductive. This was especially so at a time when the state government is working to restore normal commercial activities across Anambra State.

He indicated strong signs that the allocations of the affected shops may be revoked and reassigned to other traders. This would occur pending the outcome of a full investigation by the authorities.

He said, “It is sad and unfortunate that while the state government is making concerted efforts to revive economic activities in Anambra State on Mondays, some individuals are bent on sabotaging those efforts.

“Other markets and shops in Onitsha were open for business, but traders at the Bridge Head Market chose to shut down their operations.

“This amounts to economic sabotage against the state, and we will no longer tolerate such actions. The affected shops will remain sealed until next Monday. If the traders fail to comply by reopening for business on that day, the closure will be extended indefinitely.”

The Secretary of the Council, Onuachalla, also addressed journalists. He stated that the traders’ actions could constitute serious offences, including economic sabotage and related crimes under the law.

Onuachalla further disclosed that the shop allocations of the affected traders may be revoked in line with existing laws.

“This action amounts to economic sabotage against Anambra State and could be interpreted as aiding and abetting unlawful activities. As a council, we cannot treat such matters with kid gloves.

“We expected the traders to learn from the earlier closure of the Onitsha Main Market. However, they apparently believed they could disregard the government’s directive without consequences. They must now face the full weight of the law, and there will be no compromise.

“As we speak, the allocations of those shops are under review. Under the law, the government retains overriding authority over public property, and such allocations can be revoked in the public interest,” he added.