Coffin Sparks Fear In Onitsha Market

Coffin Sparks Fear In Onitsha Market

Tension rose in Onitsha Main Market on Monday after a coffin was discovered at the entrance of the market’s administrative building, known as the White House.

The object, reportedly placed overnight, triggered panic among traders as the market was due to reopen following a government order.

The development is widely seen as a threat linked to resistance against the directive by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to resume business on Mondays.

Traders said the coffin appeared without explanation, raising concerns about safety and recalling past violent incidents tied to sit-at-home enforcement.

“This is exactly how the chairman of Mgbuka Amazu Market, Francis Enibe, was kidnapped over two years ago on a Monday. Till now, he’s yet to be found,” one trader said.

Unconfirmed reports also circulated that the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Chijioke Okpalaugo, had stepped down due to threats to his life.

The claim spread rapidly on traders’ WhatsApp platforms, though no official confirmation was available. “He doesn’t want to risk his life by enforcing the reopening.

That’s why he allegedly stepped down,” a source within the market disclosed.
By Monday morning, the usually busy market was largely empty, with traders keeping away over fear of attacks.

Many shop owners said they told their apprentices to stay home for safety reasons. One trader said, “I told my boys not to step out today. I don’t want to be explaining anything to their parents.”

Another trader, Okechukwu Okafor, said the governor must personally reassure traders before confidence can return, adding that reopening orders issued from afar were not enough to guarantee safety.