Commercial activities have returned to the Onitsha Main Market after traders reopened their shops following a one-week shutdown ordered by the Anambra State Government.
The reopening followed firm directives from Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who warned that any continued closure of shops—especially in obedience to illegal sit-at-home orders—would attract tougher sanctions, including prolonged market shutdowns.
As of Monday morning, traders were seen opening shops across major sections of the market, including Egerton Road, Ose Foodstuff Market, Young Park entrance, Emeka Offor Plaza, Sokoto Road, Lagos Line, and Marine areas. Customers also began trickling in as normal business activities gradually picked up.
Reports indicate that many traders resumed operations as early as 8:45 a.m., signalling growing compliance with the state government’s directive to ignore sit-at-home calls issued by non-state actors.
This development comes amid renewed security deployment across Onitsha, as authorities work to ensure the safety of traders and shoppers while restoring full economic activity in the state.
Earlier, the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had announced a region-wide lockdown across the South-East, claiming it was in solidarity with affected traders. However, the group’s legal representative, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, publicly dismissed the call, describing it as false and misleading. He reiterated that IPOB had distanced itself from sit-at-home actions for some time.
The Anambra State Police Command also cautioned residents against misinformation circulating on social media, noting a pattern of coordinated posts by non-state actors aimed at creating fear and disrupting public order.
According to the police, intensified patrols, surveillance, and intelligence-led operations have been deployed across the state to prevent any threat to lives, property, and commercial activities. Residents were urged to disregard unverified online messages and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies.
Government officials have assured traders of full security support as markets reopen and economic life returns to normal across the state.
Notably, this latest compliance follows Governor Soludo’s earlier decision to expand the ban on Monday sit-at-home to more markets across Anambra. As previously reported on January 28, 2026, the state government extended the directive to 12 additional markets, warning that defiance would not be tolerated.
👉 Read the earlier report here: https://crystalblogmedia.com.ng/soludo-extends-ban-on-monday-sit-at-home-to-12-additional-anambra-markets/