Suspected hoodlums on Sunday night reportedly placed a coffin in front of the “White House”, the administrative headquarters of the Onitsha Main Market, in what appeared to be an attempt to intimidate traders and prevent them from resuming business on Monday, February 2, as ordered by Governor Charles Soludo.
There were also unconfirmed reports that the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Chijioke Okpalaugo, had allegedly stepped down from his position. Vanguard could not immediately verify the claim.
Some traders, however, linked the alleged resignation to Governor Soludo’s directive that the market should reopen, saying the chairman was unwilling to put his life at risk by enforcing the order.
They further claimed that the coffin placed in front of his office, the “White House”, was a clear threat warning him not to allow the market to reopen. According to them, it was meant to remind him of the fate of Francis Enibe, Chairman of Mgbuka Amazu Market, Obosi, who was kidnapped at his market on a Monday and has remained missing for over two years.
Vanguard gathered that even the security personnel guarding the “White House” could not explain when or how the coffin was brought to the premises or who was responsible.
A trader told Vanguard that news of the chairman’s alleged resignation was circulating widely on traders’ WhatsApp platforms.
Several traders who spoke on Monday morning said they would stay indoors and not go to the market. One trader said he instructed his four apprentices, who usually leave home for the market as early as 6:30am, not to step out, noting that he did not want to face questions from their parents if anything happened.
As of Monday morning, there was no vehicular or human movement in Onitsha, unlike the usual hustle seen before the market shutdown ordered by Governor Soludo. One of the traders, Okechukwu Okafor, told Vanguard that traders want the governor to come to Onitsha in person to address them before the market reopens, just as he did last week when he ordered its closure.
“It is not just staying in Awka and surrounded by the army, police and DSS and giving orders that the Onitsha Main Market should be reopened. We want Governor Soludo to come to Onitsha like he did last week when he ordered the market to be shut down. He should also come and do the normal opening ceremony so that the traders in the market will start trading,” Okafor said.