Soludo Shuts Down Onitsha Market For One Week Amid Sit-At-Home

According to Ireporter Online, the Anambra State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Onitsha Main Market for an initial period of one week, citing concerns over economic disruption caused by continued compliance with the Monday sit-at-home directive. The shutdown, which began on Monday, follows repeated appeals by the government to traders, market leaders, and residents to reject the illegal order, which officials say has no legal basis and continues to hinder economic activity in the state.

A senior government official emphasized that the action is aimed at restoring law, order, and economic stability. The official warned that if the market fails to fully reopen by next Monday, the closure may be extended to one month, with potential consequences for traders, supply chains, and commerce across the South-East and other regions.

Onitsha Main Market, one of West Africa’s largest markets, serves as a central commercial hub for millions of traders and consumers nationwide. The government stressed that adherence to the sit-at-home order undermines public safety, encourages criminal activity, and portrays Anambra as unsafe for business and investment.

Authorities have placed security agencies on alert to enforce compliance and protect traders willing to operate. While some traders welcomed the decisive action, others expressed concerns over safety, citing previous incidents linked to defiance of sit-at-home orders. The government has assured residents and traders that adequate security measures are in place and urged cooperation for the sake of economic stability. Governor Chukwuma Soludo had earlier warned that civil servants who refuse to report to work on Mondays would forfeit their salaries.