Anambra Task Force Shuts Down Over 1,000 Shops at Onitsha Drug Market Due to Sit-at-Home Order

Authorities from Anambra State, with the backing of the state security group Operation Udo Ga Achi, known as Agunechemba, have shut down over 1,000 shops at the renowned Bridgehead Drug Market, Ogbogwu, located in Onitsha.

This enforcement measure was reportedly taken over claims of failure to follow directives issued by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to suspend the sit-at-home order affecting the state.

The operation commenced at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 16, where government personnel, alongside security operatives, traversed the marketplace affixing red “Sealed” labels on shops that were observed to be closed.

Shops that remained open and were actively conducting business were not included in this operation. Some traders on-site were seen making phone calls to alert shop owners whose stores had been locked and sealed by the officials.

Attempts to reach Chukwuleta Ndubuisi, the chairman of the Ogbogwu Market for comments, were thwarted by network reception issues. In response to the situation, Ndubuisi Ochiogu, President of the Ogbaru Main Market Traders Association, stated that traders had been adhering to the instruction to operate on Mondays.

He noted that a joint surveillance team comprising members from the state government and Ogbaru Local Government Area had previously visited the market, praising the traders for their degree of compliance. Ochiogu expressed, “We ensure our shops are open every Monday as per Governor Soludo’s directive, and an increasing number of traders are responding positively.”