Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has directed that the Onitsha Main Market be reopened on Monday, February 2, 2026, for full commercial and economic activities.
The order followed the expiration of a one-week closure imposed by the state government after traders continued to observe the Monday sit-at-home directive promoted by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), despite assurances from authorities that the restriction had been lifted.
Governor Soludo issued the directive during an on-the-spot inspection of the market, carried out alongside senior government officials and security agencies.
The temporary shutdown had been ordered after the governor observed that traders were still complying with the sit-at-home order. He had warned that the closure could be extended if businesses failed to reopen on Mondays, adding that security operatives were deployed to seal the market.
The decision triggered protests in Onitsha, with traders taking to major streets to demand the reopening of the market. Videos shared online showed protesters carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, lamenting the disruption of their livelihoods.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, confirmed that the one-week closure had ended and instructed traders to resume normal activities.
“This is to inform the general public that the closure of Onitsha Main Market ordered by Mr Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, expires this weekend,” the statement said.
“Accordingly, all traders are directed to return to business as usual on Monday, February 2, 2026, as there is no longer any form of sit-at-home on Mondays in Anambra State.”
Mefor urged residents to ignore threats from non-state actors, assuring them of adequate security across the state.
“Ndị Anambra and residents are assured of adequate security and are encouraged to report any security concerns to 5111,” he added.
He also reminded civil servants and teachers that the state’s pro-rata salary policy remains in effect, stressing that “no work on Monday means no pay.”
Parents were equally advised to ensure their children attend school on Mondays to avoid sanctions.
Meanwhile, a faction of IPOB has announced a one-day sit-at-home across the South-East on Monday, February 2. In a statement on Friday, the group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said the action was in protest against the closure of the Onitsha Main Market.
He described the governor’s action as “tyrannical,” insisting that the sit-at-home was a voluntary protest in solidarity with Onitsha traders.
The IPOB directive has reportedly heightened concerns across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states over the safety of lives and property.
However, the Anambra State Police Command said it was fully prepared to maintain law and order. The Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that previous attacks on security personnel and public facilities were carried out by criminal elements seeking to instil fear.
According to the police, the state government, working with Ndi Anambra, is determined to eliminate harmful practices linked to the security situation, including illegal sit-at-home orders and the closure of markets on Mondays.