A market long silenced begins to stir
Traders at the Onitsha Main Market have begun reopening their shops after prolonged closures driven by fear, intimidation, and security threats in Anambra State. The reopening follows fresh assurances from the Nigerian Army that security forces remain fully deployed to protect lives, property, and commercial activity across the South-East.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, said traders would be protected “with every necessary measure” as economic activity gradually resumes.
Security message aimed beyond the market stalls
The army said intelligence-led operations remain ongoing to dismantle remnants of violent groups operating in the region, including the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.
Ayeni warned criminal elements to abandon violence and intimidation, stressing that “no hiding place will shield them from justice” if attacks on civilians or commercial centres continue.
The military’s statement framed the traders’ return as a symbolic rejection of fear, describing it as a collective stand for peace, security, and economic progress in Anambra State.
Why this reopening carries weight
For years, the Onitsha Main Market — one of West Africa’s largest commercial centres — has been severely affected by threats, sit-at-home orders, and sporadic violence, crippling livelihoods and regional trade.
Security officials said the reopening validates recent gains made by joint operations involving the army and other security agencies, while also testing whether restored confidence can be sustained beyond symbolic gestures.
Officials confirmed that security deployments remain active, with patrols and surveillance intensified around major economic corridors.
When courage meets caution
While welcoming the traders’ return, the army urged residents to remain vigilant and continue cooperating with security agencies by providing credible intelligence on emerging threats.
The statement also praised the political leadership of Anambra State for what it described as strong collaboration with security agencies, noting that such cooperation has created an enabling environment for commerce to resume.
According to security officials, approximately 55 percent of traders resumed activities on Monday, signalling cautious optimism rather than a full return to pre-crisis levels.
What stability will now be judged by
The reopening of the Onitsha Main Market places renewed pressure on security agencies and political leaders to ensure that calm is not temporary. Sustained peace, analysts warn, will depend not only on military presence but on consistent law enforcement, economic reassurance, and the rebuilding of trust among traders.
If confidence holds, the market’s revival could signal a turning point for the South-East’s commercial recovery. If it falters, the costs will again be measured in livelihoods lost and regional trade disrupte
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