Uchenna
Tension escalated in Anambra State after protesters reportedly blocked the busy Onitsha Bridge Head, halting movement along the major highway linking Asaba in Delta State to Onitsha in Anambra State.
Videos circulating widely on social media since yesterday show crowds gathered at the bridge head, chanting slogans and barricading sections of the road, leaving commuters stranded and forcing vehicles to turn back.
The protest has drawn major attention because the River Niger Bridge remains the only direct connecting bridge between Asaba and Onitsha, making it one of the most important transport routes in the Southeast.
According to reports, the protest erupted after Governor Chukwuma Soludo intensified efforts to end the long-standing Monday sit-at-home practice in the region. The sit-at-home has, for years, disrupted economic activities across several Southeast states, with traders often keeping shops closed due to fear, compliance, or lingering separatist agitation linked to the detention of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.
The immediate trigger for the unrest was Soludo’s decision to shut down the Onitsha Main Market for one week. The governor reportedly ordered the closure after traders allegedly continued observing Monday closures despite government directives encouraging residents to return to normal business activities.
Many traders have expressed anger over the market shutdown, arguing that the decision worsens hardship and affects livelihoods in an already challenging economic climate. This frustration spilled into the streets, with protesters moving beyond the market area and taking their demonstration to the strategic bridge head.
By today, the situation had escalated further, with protesters reportedly declaring “no movement,” effectively shutting down traffic on the bridge approach. The blockade caused heavy congestion, disrupted commercial transport, and raised concerns about the economic impact on both Anambra and Delta States.
Security operatives were reportedly deployed around the bridge head and market areas to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. Some outlets also mentioned sporadic gunshots and clashes during enforcement efforts, increasing tension among residents and travelers.
The incident highlights the deep sensitivity surrounding sit-at-home enforcement in the Southeast, as state governments struggle to restore full economic activity while addressing public fears and political tensions.
Residents have been urged to rely on verified updates from credible news platforms and official statements, as misinformation can spread quickly during such volatile situations.
The blockade of the Asaba-Onitsha bridge head remains a major development, given its critical role as the primary link between the Southeast and the South-South.
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