The governor of Anambra, Chukwuma Soludo, has directed the closure of the Onitsha main market for one week following traders’ persistent observance of the Monday sit-at-home.
The directive was issued on Monday during an unannounced inspection of the market, where the governor observed that many shops remained shut.
Soludo cautioned that the closure would be extended to one month if traders fail to fully resume operations by the following Monday.
“We are going to cordon this whole place off for the first one week. If we come on Monday and it’s locked, we are going to lock the market for one month,” Soludo said.
He stressed that anyone wishing to conduct business in the state must adhere strictly to government regulations, reiterating that markets are expected to operate from Monday to Friday.
“If you want to do business, you come; if not, you can go home. Anambra is open to everybody, but if you must trade here, you must abide by the rules,” the governor said.
The decision comes shortly after the Anambra government announced plans to deduct the salaries of civil servants who fail to report to work on Mondays, as part of measures to curb the sit-at-home practice across the state.
The government noted that the prevailing security situation no longer warrants the routine shutdown of offices and businesses on Mondays, warning that defaulters would face sanctions.
Officials say the latest actions are intended to revive economic activities and restore normal public life in the state.
The sit-at-home in Nigeria’s south-east began in 2021, initiated by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to protest the arrest and detention of Nnamdi Kanu, separatist and leader of the proscribed group.
On November 20, 2025, a federal high court in Abuja sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment.