Soludo shuts Onitsha main market over adherence to Monday sit-at-home

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market for one week following what he described as traders’ persistent observance of the Monday sit-at-home.

The directive was issued on Monday during an unannounced visit to the market, where the governor found a large number of shops closed.

Soludo warned that the shutdown would be extended to one month if traders fail to resume full operations by the following Monday.

“We will seal this entire market for one week. If by next Monday the market remains closed, we will shut it for one month,” the governor said.

He stressed that anyone wishing to conduct business in Anambra must adhere to government regulations, reiterating that markets are expected to operate from Monday through Friday.

“Anambra is open to everyone. But if you choose to do business here, you must follow the rules. If you don’t want to comply, you can stay at home,” Soludo added.

The development comes shortly after the state government announced plans to enforce salary deductions for civil servants who fail to report to work on Mondays, as part of measures to end the sit-at-home practice across the state.

According to the government, the current security situation no longer warrants the continued closure of public offices and businesses at the start of the week, warning that absenteeism would be sanctioned.

Officials say the latest actions are aimed at reviving economic activity and restoring normalcy in Anambra.

The sit-at-home in Nigeria’s South-East began in 2021 following a directive by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to protest the arrest and detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

On November 20, 2025, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment.