Market Shutdown Sparks Protest as Traders Block Onitsha Head Bridge

Traders and residents in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Wednesday blocked the Onitsha Head Bridge in protest against the state government’s decision to shut down the Onitsha Main Market for one week.

Videos circulating online showed protesters barricading the busy bridge, which links Anambra State to Delta State, causing heavy disruption to traffic and commercial activities. The demonstrators were heard chanting slogans and insisting that movement across the bridge be halted until their demands were addressed.

The protest followed the closure of the market by the Anambra State Government after traders reportedly failed to resume business on Mondays, despite repeated warnings and appeals by the authorities.

Some of the protesters expressed anger over the economic hardship caused by the closure, describing it as unfair to traders who depend on daily sales for survival. Others were seen carrying placards and chanting solidarity messages related to broader political grievances in the South-East.

The blockade led to long traffic queues on both sides of the bridge, affecting commuters and traders transporting goods, as security agencies monitored the situation to prevent a breakdown of law and order.