ONITSHA – In a drastic move to enforce order, Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the immediate closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week. The shutdown, which began today, Monday, January 26, 2026, follows the traders’ failure to open for business in continued observance of the illegal Monday sit-at-home order.
Governor Soludo announced the decision during an unscheduled visit to the market, where he found the vast majority of shops locked despite repeated government directives and security assurances. He condemned the action as “plain economic sabotage,” undermining efforts to restore normalcy and safety in the state.
Key Details of the Shutdown:
· Duration: Immediate closure for seven days.
· Enforcement: A joint task force of police, army, and security agencies sealed the market gates.
· Strict Warning: Governor Soludo warned that if the market fails to reopen fully next Monday, the closure will be extended for one month. He stated unequivocally, “You either decide that you are going to trade here or you go elsewhere. I am very serious about this.”
This confrontation highlights the protracted struggle between the state government and non-state actors over control of economic life in South-East Nigeria. The sit-at-home order, initially declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has crippled weekly economic activities for years.
Broader Context and Reactions:
· Economic Toll: Reports indicate the sit-at-home practice has cost the South-East region an estimated ₦5.375 trillion in losses between 2021 and 2022, devastating micro-businesses.
· Government’s Wider Plan: The Anambra government also plans to introduce pro-rata salary payments for civil servants from February 2026, tying wages to attendance on Mondays.
· IPOB’s Defiance: Reacting to the shutdown, IPOB praised Anambra residents for observing the sit-at-home and dared the governor. In a statement, spokesman Emma Powerful called on traders to open their shops from Tuesday and ignore the government’s “intimidation”.
The standoff leaves the economic fate of one of West Africa’s largest markets hanging in the balance, with next Monday’s response from traders set to determine the next course of action.
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Disclaimer: This report is based on official statements and eyewitness accounts from credible news sources. The economic figures cited are from published reports. This is a developing story.
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