Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the closure of the popular Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders ignored the state government’s directive to resume normal business activities on Mondays.
The governor announced the decision on Monday during an on-the-spot visit to the market, where he arrived with top government officials and security operatives. His visit followed reports that many traders once again stayed away from their shops in compliance with the long-running Monday sit-at-home order, despite repeated assurances of improved security.
According to Soludo, the continued shutdown of businesses every Monday is no longer acceptable, as it poses a serious threat to Anambra’s economy and public confidence. He described the traders’ action as a form of “quiet rebellion” driven by fear, but warned that the government would not allow economic life in the state to remain hostage.
“The government cannot stand by while a few individuals deliberately undermine public safety and ignore official directives meant to restore normalcy,” Soludo said. “This is plain economic sabotage, and we are not going to allow it. The closure is a protective measure for law-abiding citizens.”
He further warned that the one-week shutdown could be extended to one month if traders fail to fully reopen the market when it is scheduled to resume operations next Monday. According to him, traders who are unwilling to operate under the new directive should consider relocating their businesses elsewhere.
“You either decide that you are going to trade here, or you go elsewhere. I am very serious about this,” the governor added.
Following the directive, security agencies, including the police and the army, were deployed to seal off the market and enforce compliance. The atmosphere around the market was tense, with locked gates and a heavy security presence dominating the scene.
The closure marks one of the strongest actions taken so far by the Soludo administration in its push to end the Monday sit-at-home practice, which has disrupted businesses, reduced productivity, and weakened investor confidence across the South-East.
The state government had earlier instructed traders, transporters, and other businesses to continue operating on Mondays as part of a broader plan to stabilise the economy. In a related move, the government recently announced that civil servants’ salaries would soon be tied to Monday attendance, with pro-rata payments expected to begin from February 2026.
As the standoff continues, all eyes will be on Onitsha next Monday. Whether traders return to their stalls or keep them locked may determine not just the fate of the market, but the future of economic activities in Anambra State on Mondays.
