Protesters block Onitsha head bridge
Tension gripped the commercial city of Onitsha on Monday as angry protesters blocked the Onitsha Head Bridge, one of southeastern Nigeria’s most strategic transport routes, following the closure of major markets in the city.
The protesters, made up largely of traders and transport workers, shut down vehicular movement on the bridge for several hours, disrupting traffic between Anambra State and neighbouring Delta State. The action followed growing frustration over the continued market closure, which demonstrators say has crippled livelihoods and deepened economic hardship in the area,Protesters block Onitsha head bridge.
Videos circulating widely on social media showed crowds chanting and occupying key sections of the bridge, forcing motorists to abandon vehicles and seek alternative routes. Security personnel were later deployed to restore order and reopen the bridge.
Why Protesters Blocked Onitsha Head Bridge
The protest erupted after authorities enforced the closure of key commercial hubs in Onitsha, including sections of the Main Market and surrounding trading zones. While the state government cited security and public order concerns as justification for the market shutdown, traders insist the decision was abrupt and poorly communicated.
Many protesters said the closure had already cost them days of income, with no clear timeline for reopening.
“Onitsha is a market city. Once you shut the markets, you shut down our lives,” one trader told reporters during the protest.
The decision to block the Onitsha Head Bridge was described by protesters as a last resort to draw attention to their plight, especially after failed attempts to engage local authorities through dialogue,Protesters block Onitsha head bridge.
Economic Fallout in a Commercial Nerve Centre
Onitsha is widely regarded as one of West Africa’s largest trading hubs. Any disruption to its markets has ripple effects across the Southeast and beyond. Economists warn that prolonged market closures could:
• Disrupt supply chains across the region
• Drive up prices of goods
• Increase unemployment and informal sector losses
Transport unions also reported losses as commuters and goods vehicles were stranded by the blockade of the Onitsha Head Bridge, which serves as a major gateway between eastern and western Nigeria.
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Government and Security Response
Officials of the Anambra State government acknowledged the protest but urged calm, warning against actions that threaten public safety and interstate movement.
Security operatives, including police and traffic agencies, were deployed to the bridge to prevent escalation. By late afternoon, traffic gradually resumed after negotiations with protest leaders.
A senior government official, speaking anonymously, said the market closure was part of broader efforts to maintain order and prevent criminal exploitation of commercial space,Protesters block Onitsha head bridge.
“We understand the frustration, but blocking a federal route like the Onitsha Head Bridge puts lives at risk,” the official said.
A Familiar Pattern in Onitsha
This is not the first time protests over market closures have spilled onto major roads in Onitsha. In recent years, traders have repeatedly clashed with authorities over shutdowns linked to security operations, sit-at-home enforcement, and urban regulation.
Observers note that the recurring tension reflects deeper issues around communication gaps between government and market stakeholders.
Civil society groups have called for structured engagement with traders’ unions before enforcing sweeping closures in a city whose economy depends heavily on daily trade.
Public Reactions and Calls for Dialogue
Residents expressed mixed reactions to the protest. While some sympathised with the traders’ grievances, others condemned the blockade of the Onitsha Head Bridge, citing the hardship faced by commuters and emergency services,Protesters block Onitsha head bridge.
“We understand their pain, but blocking the bridge affects millions of people,” a commuter said.
Market leaders have now called on the state government to reopen negotiations and provide a clear roadmap for reopening affected markets.
What Happens Next
As calm returns to the Onitsha Head Bridge, attention now shifts to whether authorities will review the market closure policy or risk further unrest.
Analysts warn that without transparent communication and phased reopening plans, similar protests could recur, further destabilising economic activity in Onitsha.
For now, the protest has underscored one clear message: in a city built on trade, prolonged market closures carry social and economic consequences that can quickly spill onto the streets,Protesters block Onitsha head bridge.
https://www.anambrastate.gov.ng
