Officials of the Anambra State Government, supported by the state security outfit Operation Udo Ga Achi, code-named Agunechemba, have sealed more than 1,000 shops at the popular Bridgehead Drug Market Ogbogwu in Onitsha.

The enforcement action was reportedly carried out over alleged non-compliance with the directive issued by the governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, suspending the Monday sit-at-home order across the state.

The operation began at about 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 16, when government officials, accompanied by members of the security outfit, moved through the market sealing shops found closed for business. Red labels marked “Sealed” were placed on the affected stores.

Shops that were open and conducting business were not affected during the exercise. Some traders present in the market were seen making phone calls to inform shop owners whose stores had been locked and sealed by the officials.

Efforts to reach the chairman of the market, Chukwuleta Ndubuisi, for comment were unsuccessful due to network difficulties.

Reacting to the development, the President of the Ogbaru Main Market Traders Association, Ndubuisi Ochiogu, said traders had been complying with the directive to open for business on Mondays.

According to him, a joint monitoring team from the state government and the Ogbaru Local Government Area had earlier visited the market and commended traders for their level of compliance.

“We open our shops every Monday in compliance with Governor Soludo’s order, and more traders have continued to respond positively,” Ochiogu said.