Onitsha Main Market, the sprawling commercial nerve centre that fuels trade across the South-East and beyond, is once again at the centre of a dangerous tug-of-war between the Anambra State Government and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a bold move aimed at ending what the state describes as “economic sabotage,” Governor Chukwuma Soludo ordered the immediate closure of the market for one week.
The directive is a direct response to traders’ continued compliance with the illegal Monday sit-at-home order—an action the government says has crippled commerce across the state.
This is not just a battle over market operations. It is a test of authority, courage, and survival—between a government determined to restore order and a separatist movement determined to impose its will.
A State on Edge
The sit-at-home directive, which has been enforced for weeks, has repeatedly brought the state’s economy to a standstill every Monday.
Traders, transport operators, and residents have remained fearful of defying the order, citing past incidents of violence and reprisal against those who openly resisted.
The government insists that the sit-at-home order has no legal backing and continues to undermine public safety, encourage criminality, and portray Anambra as unsafe for business and investment.
“This is no longer about fear or compliance under duress. It is about restoring law, order, and economic sanity,” a senior government official said, explaining the rationale behind the market closure.
READ ALSO: Just in: Sit-At-Home: Soludo closes Onitsha main market, threatens traders
Onitsha Main Market: The Heart of Nigeria’s Trade
Onitsha Main Market is not merely a local trading hub—it is a national economic engine. Millions of traders and consumers rely on the market for goods, supplies, and livelihoods. Its closure, even temporarily, is expected to send shockwaves across supply chains, stretching from the South-East to other regions of Nigeria.
The government has warned that if the market fails to fully reopen by next Monday, the closure will be extended to one month. Such a move could have devastating consequences for traders, transport operators, and the broader economy.
A Message to the Enforcers
In addition to closing the market, the government issued a stern warning to market unions, transport operators, and individuals suspected of enforcing or promoting the sit-at-home order. Anyone found aiding or abetting the directive, the government said, would face legal and regulatory sanctions.
Security agencies have reportedly been placed on high alert to ensure compliance and to protect traders willing to open their shops.
Some welcomed the government’s decisive stance, describing it as long overdue. They argue that the sit-at-home order has turned the state into a pariah for business and investment.
But others remain fearful and uncertain, citing the risk of violent reprisals from armed groups if they defy the directive. Many traders said they would only reopen if they are certain of protection and safety.
Soludo’s Tough Stance on Civil Servants
Governor Soludo’s warning to civil servants—that they would not receive salaries if they refuse to come to work on Mondays—underscores the government’s resolve to end the sit-at-home disruption once and for all.
But as the countdown to next Monday begins, the question remains: Will traders open, or will fear keep them at home?
As Onitsha Main Market stands shut, the future of Anambra’s economy now hinges on a simple question: who will blink first?