The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has led the enforcement of security operatives at the Onitsha Main Market to enforce the one-week closure ordered by the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
Recall that Soludo has ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week following traders’ failure to comply with the state government’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.
The governor gave the directive on Monday during an on-site visit to the market, along with some of his aides and other government officials.
As a result of the directive, on Tuesday, the market was barricaded by security agencies, where hundreds of security personnel were seen around the area, while armoured personnel carriers hillux vans were used to block strategic locations across the market
The security personnel prevented traders and any other person from moving into the market.
Recall that the development led to a series of protests by some residents and traders who, on Wednesday, blocked the ever-busy Asaba-Onitsha Expressway leading to the River Niger bridge for several minutes before security personnel came to disperse the protesters.
However, speaking on Thursday during the reinforcement exercise at the market, the CP said his presence is to further reinforce public order, safety, and confidence across the metropolis and its environs.
Orutugu said the visit is an assessment tour to personally supervise and evaluate the deployment of police-led joint security forces at strategic locations within Onitsha.
He said, “This is a security assessment tour, to personally supervise and evaluate the deployment of Police-led Joint Security Forces at strategic locations within Onitsha.
“This proactive engagement underscores the Command’s resolve to maintain peace, ensure compliance with lawful directives, and prevent any breach of public order.
“The security situation in Onitsha remains calm and firmly under control, as the Command continues to reassure residents, traders, and commuters of their safety.”
Punch Online on Wednesday reported that the Anambra State police operatives on Wednesday blocked some protesters protesting on the Onitsha head bridge over the Main Market closure.
As the one-week closure ordered by the state governor, Soludo, on Monday, enters day two, some traders, including residents, blocked the road leading to the head bridge for several minutes following the directive, before the police-led team came to disperse them.
