Tension has heightened in Anambra State as traders and leaders of the Onitsha Main Market face uncertainty over the state government’s directive to resume trading on Monday, despite a sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).
The pro-Biafran group, in a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, called on traders, transporters, banks, schools and civil servants across the Southeast to observe what it described as a peaceful solidarity sit-at-home. IPOB said the directive was in protest against the continued detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and Governor Charles Soludo’s decision to shut the market for a week over previous sit-at-home observance.
However, the Anambra State Government has insisted that all markets and shops must open on Mondays. The Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, said enforcement of the sit-at-home had shifted from political protest to criminal activity, warning that “extreme measures” would be taken against defaulters. He added that security agencies would be fully deployed across Onitsha to ensure safety.
At a meeting between the governor and market leaders in Awka, the Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market, Chijioke Okpalugo, assured that traders would resume business. Market leaders reportedly agreed to introduce attendance registers across market lines, with traders who fail to open their shops risking sanctions, including revocation of shop ownership.
Audio messages circulated among traders indicated that security operatives would be stationed in strategic locations, while local government officials would supervise compliance. Traders were warned that failure to resume trading could lead to prolonged market closure and other penalties.
Meanwhile, ethnic and socio-cultural leaders have urged caution. The President of the Ala-Igbo Development Foundation, Prof. Awuzie Unachukwu, warned that sanctions could worsen insecurity and economic hardship, noting that many residents stay indoors out of fear. Similarly, former Ohanaeze Ndigbo spokesperson, Alex Ogbonnia, called for an end to the sit-at-home, urging a political solution to the crisis.
Security agencies in neighbouring states have also announced heightened vigilance to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
