Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders failed to comply with the state government’s directive to ignore the Monday sit-at-home order.
The directive was issued on Monday during an on-site visit to the market, where Governor Soludo was accompanied by aides and other government officials.
The governor warned that the closure could be extended beyond one week if traders continue to defy the directive. Security agencies have already sealed the market to enforce compliance.
Describing the development as a decisive move in the ongoing effort to restore normal economic activity in the South-East, Soludo noted that despite repeated assurances of enhanced security, many traders kept their stalls locked, effectively defying the government’s order.
“The government cannot stand by while a few individuals willfully undermine public safety and disregard official directives meant to restore normalcy. This is plain economic sabotage,” the governor said.
He added, “We are not going to allow this. The closure is a protective measure for law-abiding citizens. If the market fails to reopen after the one-week shutdown, it will be sealed for one month. You either decide to trade here or go elsewhere. I am very serious about this.”
The market was secured by a joint task force comprising the police, army, and other security agencies, enforcing the closure amid heightened tension.
This action highlights the state government’s determination to abolish the Monday sit-at-home practice and restore uninterrupted economic activity. When the market is expected to reopen next Monday, all eyes will be on traders to see whether they return to their stalls or continue the shutdown, a decision that could influence the rhythm of commercial life in Anambra State.
Earlier, the state government had directed traders and businesses to operate normally on Mondays as part of efforts to stabilize the economy. In a related move, the state announced that pro-rata salary payments for civil servants will take effect from February 2026, with Monday attendance determining pay, according to the state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor.
The decision was made during the end-of-tenure retreat of the Anambra State Executive Council, which reviewed the administration’s achievements over the past four years and outlined priorities for the next term beginning March 17, 2026.