The critical Onitsha Head Bridge, a vital artery linking south-eastern Nigeria to the west, was brought to a standstill on Wednesday as angry traders protested against a government-ordered market shutdown.
Hundreds of residents and traders barricaded the entrance to the bridge, which connects Anambra and Delta states across the River Niger. The blockade left thousands of commuters stranded, with protesters chanting, “No way in, no way out.”
The unrest was sparked by Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s decision on Monday to enforce a week-long closure of the Onitsha Main Market—one of the largest commercial hubs in West Africa.
‘Stand still’
Videos shared on social media showed a defiant crowd blocking the highway. “Onitsha to Asaba blocked. Stand still!” one protester was heard shouting as the demonstration intensified.
The shutdown follows a period of heightened tension in the state over “sit-at-home” orders, which are frequently issued by separatist groups but officially opposed by the state government.
[Image: The Onitsha Head Bridge showing the bottleneck between Anambra and Delta states]
Political undertones
The protest, which began on Tuesday, has taken on a political dimension. Some traders were seen carrying placards expressing support for Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Chants of “Soludo, we no go gree” (Soludo, we will not agree) and “Say no to Monday” echoed through the streets, highlighting the friction between the Governor’s administration and local traders over the economic impact of security-related closures.
Economic fallout
The Onitsha Main Market is the lifeblood of the regional economy. Traders argue that the one-week closure will result in billions of naira in lost revenue and further impoverish residents already struggling with high inflation.
Governor Soludo has maintained that the closures are necessary for “sanitising” the market environment and improving security, but local lawmakers have cautioned the administration against policies that could further alienate the business community.
[Image: Map showing the strategic importance of the Onitsha-Asaba bridge for Nigerian trade]
Security forces have been deployed to the area, but the bridge remained largely impassable as of Wednesday afternoon.
The blockade is causing significant delays for those travelling toward Lagos or Benin City.
Add Comment