“Soludo, We No Go Gree” — Traders Flood Onitsha Market to Protest One-week Closure

Traders in Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State, took to the streets on Tuesday to protest the one-week closure of the market ordered by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

The protest followed the arrival of security operatives at the market to enforce the shutdown directive.

Many traders gathered at the market entrance and surrounding streets, carrying placards and chanting slogans against the government’s decision.

In several videos shared online, the traders were heard shouting, “Soludo, we no go gree o,” and “Say no to Monday.”

Some protesters also displayed messages in support of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, while singing solidarity songs.

The market area was heavily guarded as security agencies blocked major access roads and entrances into the commercial hub. Armoured Personnel Carriers and patrol vans were stationed at strategic points to prevent trading activities and crowd movement.

Witnesses said hundreds of traders attempted to enter the market early in the morning but were turned back by security operatives. This led to tension and a growing crowd of protesters who insisted that the closure would worsen their economic hardship.

Governor Soludo had ordered the market shut on Monday after visiting the area and observing that shops remained closed due to the continued sit-at-home practice.

The state government said the action became necessary after repeated appeals to traders and market leaders to resume business activities were ignored.

According to the Anambra State Government, the weekly sit-at-home exercise has caused huge financial losses to the state economy.

Officials estimated that Anambra loses about ₦8 billion every Monday, while the South-East region suffers a combined loss of over ₦19 billion weekly.

The government described the closure as a temporary measure to restore order and encourage traders to return to normal business operations. It also warned that continued defiance of the directive would attract further enforcement actions.

Meanwhile, IPOB reacted strongly to the shutdown, condemning the move and describing it as punitive and designed to intimidate traders.

The group accused the state government of targeting innocent business owners who are already struggling with insecurity and economic pressure.

Some traders who spoke during the protest said they were not responsible for the sit-at-home situation and should not be punished for it. They argued that closing the market for one week would deepen poverty and disrupt supply chains across the region.

They also called on the governor to engage in dialogue rather than using force to address the crisis.