The Adjen Kotoku onion market has been shut down following a violent attempt by armed men from a rival faction to seize control of the facility on Monday, April 6, 2026. The incident left several traders injured and has raised serious concerns over security in one of the country’s major onion hubs.
Mustapha Sulemana Talimu, spokesperson for the Onion Sellers Association, confirmed the closure on Tuesday and described the situation as worrying for traders whose livelihoods depend on the market.
“We can confirm that the market has been shut down following the attack,” Talimu said. He added that the violence has created fear among traders and effectively stopped business operations.
The clash is reportedly linked to allegations of political interference in the management of the market. The incident also follows reports that trucks carrying onions destined for Ghana have been blocked in Nigeria, in what is believed to be retaliation for a previous dispute involving some Ghanaian traders.
Speaking to Citi News, Talimu called for urgent government intervention to prevent further escalation. “As I speak, they are with guns… they said they don’t want anybody in the market,” he said, highlighting the tense atmosphere.
Traders at the market are appealing for swift security action to restore calm and ensure an uninterrupted supply of onions to local markets.
