Don’t near Main Market from Tuesday, Soludo warns traders; ‘You don’t have such powers,’ shops will open – IPOB

By Tony Okafor, Awka

The Anambra State Government has announced the closure of Onitsha Main Market for one week, starting from Monday, January 26, 2026.

The closure follows the market’s failure to comply with the state’s directive to end the controversial Monday Sit-at-Home order, which has been wreaking havoc on the region’s economy.

According to the government press statement, signed by Law Mefor, the Commissioner for Information, Anambra State, the market will reopen on February 2, 2026.

Traders have been warned that if they fail to resume trading on the designated date, the market could face a one-month closure.

The statement further urges the general public to stay clear of the market area during the closure to avoid confrontation with security personnel already deployed to the region.

The Anambra government justified the closure by citing the heavy financial losses attributed to the Monday Sit-at-Home, which has been costing the southeastern states, including Anambra, an estimated N19.6 billion every week.

Officials have stressed that the closure is a necessary measure to curb these losses, arguing that the Sit-at-Home order has severely disrupted business activities and caused substantial harm to the state’s economy.

In his statement, Mefor appealed for cooperation from traders and the public, assuring them that security measures would be in place during the period of closure.

“We understand the challenges traders are facing, but we must act now to protect the interests of the state. We will continue to enforce compliance with all state regulations to ensure the prosperity and safety of all Anambra residents,” he said.

However, the announcement has sparked backlash from some quarters, particularly from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who have called the move an infringement on the rights of traders and residents in the region.

In a strongly-worded press release also issued Monday, Comrade Emma Powerful, the Spokesperson for IPOB, declared that their members would defy the market closure and resume business activities in Anambra State on January 27, 2026, as part of their inherent right to live and work freely.

The statement fiercely criticized Governor Charles Soludo’s administration, accusing the government of overstepping its powers and disregarding the will of the people.

IPOB’s Powerful reminded the state government that Igbo entrepreneurs, particularly in the southeastern region, have faced systemic challenges for decades, including economic blockades and neglect during the Nigerian Civil War, as well as a lack of government support during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“We cannot accept any measure that impedes our livelihoods or denies us our basic rights as citizens,” Powerful said.

He further condemned the possible deployment of military forces to quell any potential unrest, warning that such actions would lead to disastrous consequences.
Don’t near Main Market from tomorrow, Soludo warns traders; ‘You don’t have such powers,’ shops will open – IPOB
“No government, no matter how powerful, can break the indomitable will of the Igbo people. We have always chosen to fight for our freedom, and we will continue to do so,” Powerful asserted.

This brewing tension between the Anambra State Government and IPOB underscores the growing conflict over the Sit-at-Home order and the economic toll it is taking on the southeastern region.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on both the state government and IPOB to see if diplomacy or force will prevail.

Traders and residents alike are left grappling with the uncertainty that the next few days may bring.