Rights Group Accuses Anambra Government Of Economic Sabotage
Human Rights Group Faults Anambra Government Over Onitsha Market Shutdown
THE Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has condemned the ongoing closure of the Onitsha Main Market, accusing the Anambra State Government of adopting a heavy-handed strategy that undermines economic rights and deepens hardship for thousands of traders and residents.
The market was closed as part of the state’s enforcement measures against the Monday sit-at-home order, which authorities say disrupts economic activity and public order.
However, the CDHR argues that the policy response punishes victims rather than addressing the root causes of insecurity.
Collective Punishment, Not Security Strategy
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Comrade Onyibe Jeremiah, the organisation described the closure as a form of collective punishment that fails to distinguish between law-abiding traders and criminal elements.
The group warned that threatening prolonged closure or expulsion for non-compliance forces traders to choose between personal safety and economic survival—an option it described as unconstitutional.
“Forcing citizens to risk their lives in the absence of adequate protection violates fundamental human rights and economic freedoms,” the CDHR stated.
Traders Are Victims, Not Perpetrators
The organisation stressed that traders are among the primary victims of insecurity in Anambra State, often suffering losses from violence, disruptions, and fear-induced closures.
According to the CDHR, responsibility for maintaining public safety lies with the state and its security agencies, not with unarmed civilians who lack the means to protect themselves.
It warned that directing citizens to resume activities without visible security measures exposes them to harm and undermines confidence in government assurances.
Economic Consequences of Market Closure
The CDHR described the shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market—widely regarded as West Africa’s largest open market—as economically destructive.
The market supports thousands of direct and indirect jobs and plays a central role in regional trade across the South-East and beyond.
The group warned that continued closure would disrupt supply chains, raise commodity prices, worsen poverty levels, and further strain households already affected by inflation and unemployment.
Appeal for Policy Reconsideration
Calling for immediate reopening of the market, the CDHR urged Governor Soludo to prioritise security deployment rather than economic sanctions.
It advised the government to adopt a people-centred approach that combines protection, dialogue, and intelligence-driven security operations.
“A state cannot secure itself by shutting down its economic lifeline,” the group warned, stressing that durable peace is built through trust and protection, not fear.
