The Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State has commenced the demolition of illegal structures at the Onitsha Main Market.
The exercise, aimed at “restoring the original masterplan and improving trading activities in the sprawling market,” was met with outcry from traders.
The exercise follows over a month of evacuation notices issued to affected traders and
shop owners.Monitoring the demolition, our correspondent observed that bulldozers began pulling down several marked structures at Park 1, Park 2, and Park 3, as well as sections along Bright Street, Johnson Street, and Gwomgworo, with the exercise set to continue on Monday.
Security operatives, including the military, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and state security agents, barricaded roads leading to the market prior to the demolition, which began around 1:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Some traders had preemptively demolished their shops and evacuated their belongings on Saturday.
In a statement on Saturday, the Chairman of Onitsha North LGA, Anthony Nwora, said, “Occupants were duly notified prior to the exercise, which aims to reclaim the original masterplan and restore order for seamless ‘trade and shop’ activities.”
The notice, titled “Final Reminder on Demolition of Illegal Structures at Main Market, Onitsha,” reminded owners that the grace period had expired.
The LGA had initially given a 14-day notice, extended by another 14 days at the request of occupants, with the final expiration set for February 28, 2026.
“The owners/occupants of all the illegal structures located at Park 1, Park 2, and Park 3 of Main Market, Onitsha are hereby reminded that after the 14-day notice…which was extended…we will carry out the demolition of the illegal structures anytime from Sunday 1st March 2026,” the statement read.
The LGA advised traders to remove valuables ahead of the enforcement date.
Observing the site, our correspondent reported that the once-bustling market had turned into rubble, with broken blocks, scattered roofing sheets, and damaged goods littering the streets.
Many traders were seen salvaging items for minimal sums.
A textile trader, Rebecca Uche, lamented, “I just came back from the hospital. I have a spinal problem. I paid over N2m for the shop less than six months ago. I had just finished renovating the place a few weeks ago when the demolition notice came.
“Although the government said they are remodelling the market, demolishing the existing structures without providing alternatives affects livelihoods and creates hardship.”
Another trader, Ozoemenam Opara, added, “The government proposed the demolition, but traders begged them not to proceed. When they insisted, traders obtained a court injunction from Justice J.I. Nweze of the Onitsha High Court, directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending a hearing fixed for March 16.
“We thought the court order would stop the exercise, only to wake up and see the demolition in progress.”
Okeke Akasim recounted, “I rushed to evacuate my wares at 2 a.m. When I got close to my shop, it was already demolished with the wares inside. I collapsed and, on regaining consciousness, managed to leave without a pin from my shop.”
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