In a bid to discourage traders from resuming on Monday, February 2, as directed by Governor Charles Soludo, suspected hoodlums Sunday night reportedly dumped a coffin in front of the “White House”, the administrative headquarters of the Onitsha Main Market.
Meanwhile, unverified reports circulating within the market claim that the Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market, Chijioke Okpalaugo, has allegedly stepped down from his position.
According to a report from Vanguard, the development could not be confirmed yet as of press time.
However, some traders said that his resignation is not unconnected with Governor Soludo’s order that the market should be opened today, and he is not ready to risk his life opening the market.
According to traders, the coffin placed in front of the “White House,” which also serves as the chairman’s office, was intended as a threat, warning him not to allow trading activities to resume.
They alleged it was meant to remind him of the fate of the Chairman of Mgbuka Amazu Market, Obosi, Francis Enibe, who was kidnapped in his market on a Monday and has remained missing for more than two years.
Vanguard gathered that security personnel stationed at the “White House” were unable to say when the coffin was brought in or who was responsible for placing it there.
A trader told Vanguard that the alleged resignation of the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market was the trending news on the traders’ WhatsApp group.
Another trader also told Vanguard that he has told his four apprentices who leave his house for the market daily as early as 6:30am, not to step out, because he does not want to answer any questions from their parents.
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There was no vehicular and human movement as usually seen in recent times in Onitsha before the shutdown of the market by Governor Soludo.
A trader, Okechukwu Okafor, told Vanguard that traders want the governor to come to Onitsha to address them to open the market, as he was said to have done last Monday when he ordered that the market be shut down.
“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.
