In a bold move to tackle what the Anambra State Government has described as economic sabotage, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has ordered the immediate closure of Onitsha Main Market.
The one-week shutdown, confirmed by senior government sources, comes in response to traders’ continued adherence to the controversial Monday sit-at-home directive, a practice officials say is illegal and has severely disrupted economic activities across the state.
“This is no longer about fear or compliance under duress. It is about restoring law, order, and economic sanity,” a government insider stated.
While the closure is currently set for one week, the administration has warned that failure to fully reopen by next Monday could result in an extension of up to one month, a scenario that could ripple through supply chains and commerce across the South-East and beyond.
Onitsha Main Market, a commercial hub for millions of traders and consumers nationwide, has been at the centre of repeated sit-at-home compliance, despite government warnings. Officials emphasised that the continued observance of the directive not only threatens public safety but also projects Anambra as unsafe for business and investment.
The government has issued stern warnings to market unions, transport operators, and individuals suspected of promoting the sit-at-home order. “Anyone found aiding or abetting this illegal practice will face legal and regulatory consequences,” the official added.
Security agencies have reportedly been placed on high alert to ensure compliance and safeguard traders willing to open their shops. While some traders have welcomed the government’s decisive action as long overdue, others expressed apprehension, citing security risks and past episodes of violence linked to defiance of sit-at-home directives.
Governor Soludo had previously cautioned civil servants that failure to report to work on Mondays would attract non-payment of salaries, signalling the administration’s broader stance against disruptions to public and economic life.
