Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week following traders’ failure to comply with the state government’s directive to ignore the Monday sit-at-home order.
The governor gave the directive on Monday during an on-the-spot assessment of the market, accompanied by top government officials and aides. Security agencies immediately sealed the market to enforce the order.
Soludo warned that the closure could be extended to one month if traders fail to reopen fully after the one-week shutdown.
“This is plain economic sabotage,” the governor said.
“The government cannot stand by while a few individuals willfully undermine public safety and disregard official directives meant to restore normalcy. The closure is a protective measure for law-abiding citizens.”
Despite repeated assurances on improved security and appeals by the state government to reclaim public spaces, the governor said many traders once again kept their shops locked, a situation he described as a quiet rebellion driven by lingering fear.
“You either decide that you are going to trade here or you go elsewhere. I am very serious about this,” Soludo warned.
The development marks one of the strongest actions yet by the Anambra government in its ongoing effort to end the Monday sit-at-home, which has continued to disrupt economic activities across the South-East.
On Monday, a joint task force of police, army, and other security agencies was deployed around the market as part of heightened enforcement.
As the market remains shut throughout the week, attention will turn to next Monday when it is scheduled to reopen. Observers say traders’ response will determine not just the fate of the Onitsha Main Market, but the broader rhythm of economic life in Anambra State on Mondays.
Meanwhile, the state government has introduced a financial enforcement measure to complement security actions. The Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, disclosed that the government will begin pro-rata salary payments for civil servants as part of efforts to end the sit-at-home.
According to him, from February 2026, workers’ salaries will be paid based on attendance on Mondays.
Mefor said the decision was taken during the end-of-tenure retreat of the Anambra State Executive Council in Awka, where the outgoing administration reviewed its four-year term and outlined priorities ahead of the new tenure beginning March 17, 2026.
