By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Anambra State Government on Sunday, March 1,2026, announced the commencement of the demolition of illegal structures at the Onitsha Main Market ,in preparation for its remodeling and reconstruction.
However, the demolition is coming despite a subsisting court order restraining the Government from carrying out the exercise , pending the hearing and determination of a substantive motion on notice filed by some aggrieved traders.
The demolition and planned remodeling and reconstruction exercise were preceded by the authorities’ closure of the market mid-January for a week following alleged refusal of traders to discontinue the Monday sit-at-home order proclaimed by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, in the South East region to press home it’s demand for the release of its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The Anambra’ state Government had, in the second week of January this year, in a circular, banned the continued observation of the Monday sit-at-home order in all parts of the State, threatening to sanction defaulters, including payment of civil servants salaries based on Monday attendance.
Honourable Justice J. I. Nweze of an Anambra State High Court, Awka, had, in a ruling on an application filed by traders of Human Fence Zone One Line of the Market ordered all parties to maintain the status quo until the hearing and determination of motion on notice billed for March 16, 2026.
But a statement from the Anambra’ state New Media on Sunday informed that the demolition exercise has finally begun .
According to the statement the exercise which is being handled by the authorities of the Onitsha North Local Council , is coming after series of notices to the affected shops and property owners
” Crackdown: Onitsha North LGA begins demolition of illegal structures at the Onitsha Main Market .
” Occupants were duly notified . The mission is to reclaim the original masterplan ,and restore order for seamless ” trade and shop activities” the statement reads .
The Source further reports that the Anambra’ state Government had on February 26 ,2026 , issued what it described as the last notice for the affected shop owners to evacuate their items.
The notice which was issued through the Mayor of Onitsha North Local Government Area ,Hon Anthony Nwora enjoined owners of structures marked for demolition to vacate on or before February 14 ,2026 .
However ,the notice was later extended to 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 days earlier notice of demolition of the illegal structures given to them , which expired on 14th February,2026 ,which was extended based on their request by another 14 days which will expire on 28th February ,2026 ,the Onitsha North Local Government will carry out the demolition of the illegal structures anytime from Sunday 1st March ,2026.
” All those who still have any valuables in those structures are advised to remove all such items on or before Sunday 1st March 2026″ the final notice reads .
It will be recalled that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo in the wake of the controversy that trailed the closure of the Market over sit-at-home order , insisted on the demolition , remodeling and reconstruction of the Market to ease congestion ,as well as align it’s operations to both national and international best standards.
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