Sit at home: Markets open but no customers

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By Madu Obi

Fear of the unknown made many traders and their customers not to near the various markets in Anambra State on Monday, despite the presence of security across the state.

The big traders in Onitsha sent their boys ( the apprentices) to go open the shops early as directed by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, but the were no buyers.

In Nnewi, there was an announcement on Saturday directing that all markets must open and although the shops were open, the traders just say and discussed.

In Ihiala, the popular Nkwo Ogbe remained shut, although the surroundings were lively with transporters and commercial motorcycle operators doing their business unmolested. Some soldiers were also seen patrolling the roads in Ihiala.

A businessman in Onitsha, Chief Paulinus Nweyi said the governor's action was the first stage towards return to normalcy on Mondays.

"We are happy that Governor Soludo took this bold decision. We cannot continue to waste the first working day of the week for ever

"Those who refused to open their shops should be prepared to lose them. We cannot continue to listen to these people who go into the toilets and send threatening messages to the social media from there.

"We don't know who they are; they have no address and they can't identify themselves. We'll be doing ourselves serious harm if we continue to listen to them.

"If they want Nnamdi Kanu to be released, they should go to Sokoto where he is and not to be causing trouble for us in Onitsha.."

The Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market Association, Mr. Chijioke Okparaugo, who was seen monitoring compliance, told reporters that the era of Monday sit-at-home was over.

“You can visit any line or any part of the market to confirm that we are fully back to business every Monday,” he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer of Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, described the level of compliance as over 80 percent, noting that the command was proactive in securing lives and property.

“The situation speaks for itself. Monday sit-at-home has been laid to rest, and compliance is above eighty percent,” he said.

He reassured residents that incidents of attacks and arson associated with the sit-at-home order were over, adding that security operatives would continue to protect lives and property daily, not just on Mondays.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security, Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, also described the reopening as a significant achievement, assuring traders that the Agunechemba Security Squad would remain fully deployed across markets in the state.

“We thank our traders for this courageous turnout and all security operatives for reclaiming our Mondays from miscreants, most of whom are not traders,”

“We will sustain internal security in all markets. Traders should go about their lawful duties without fear. Agunechemba is fully prepared and on top of the situation.”he said.