On Tuesday and Wednesday, hundreds of traders took to the streets, blocking the River Niger Head Bridge to protest the loss of their livelihoods, prompting the state to deploy a joint security task force including the army. Reacting to the escalating tension on January 27, 2026, Ejimakor condemned the use of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators. “The deployment of security agents (particularly soldiers) to quell the peaceful #OnitshaMarketClosure protest is unconstitutional and should be reversed immediately,” Ejimakor stated. The situation has already turned tragic; reports from the Anambra State Ministry of Information confirm that one trader, Miss Chinwe Igwe, was killed and several others injured during a clash with OCHA Brigade operatives and security forces. Should the Anambra State Government initiate a dialogue with market leaders to resolve the “sit-at-home” conflict without further military intervention?