Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra has ordered the immediate closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week following the continued sit-at-home directive being observed by traders in the commercial hub.
The governor gave the order on Monday in Onitsha shortly after visiting the market and noting that the refusal of market leadership and traders to open for business was against government directives.
According to Soludo, the decision represents the latest and most drastic step to determine who controls time and economic life in Southeast Nigeria on Mondays.
“The enemy is the long-standing, fear-enforced Monday sit-at-home order, a ghostly mandate from non-state actors that has strangled businesses and normalised weekly Monday sit-at-home for years,” he said.
He added that despite repeated assurances of improved security and several appeals to reclaim public spaces, many traders at the iconic market again chose to keep their shops locked.
Soludo noted that the absence of traders was not just a quiet protest but a strong signal of the deep fear that still exists within the business community.
He said government could not continue to watch while a few individuals deliberately undermined public safety and ignored official directives aimed at restoring normal economic activities.
The governor warned that if the market failed to reopen fully after the one-week shutdown, it would be sealed for one month and extended further if necessary.
“You either decide that you are going to trade here or you go elsewhere. I am very serious about this,” Soludo said.
Security presence was heavy at the market as a joint task force comprising police, army and other security agencies secured the area and turned back traders who attempted to gain access.
The Anambra Government also announced the commencement of pro-rata salary payments for workers across the state as part of measures to end the Monday sit-at-home directive enforced by the Indigenous People of Biafra. Officials said the policy was aimed at restoring confidence, productivity and normal weekly business activities across affected communities.
