Traders at the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State on Tuesday took to the streets to protest the state government’s decision to shut the market for one week. The closure was ordered by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo after traders allegedly ignored directives to resume normal business activities on Mondays.
Video clips circulating online showed aggrieved traders marching through major roads in Onitsha, carrying placards and chanting protest songs. Some of the slogans included “Soludo, we no go gree o” and “Say no to Monday,” reflecting their rejection of the government’s push to end the long-standing Monday sit-at-home in the South-East.
Security operatives barricaded the market early in the day to enforce the closure, deploying armoured vehicles and patrol vans to block access routes and prevent trading.
The protest followed an unscheduled visit by Governor Soludo to the market after traders reportedly continued to observe the sit-at-home. During the visit, the governor described the action as illegal and economically damaging, warning that the shutdown could be extended to one month if non-compliance persisted.
The Anambra State Government said the sit-at-home costs the state about ₦8 billion weekly, contributing to an estimated ₦19.6 billion loss across the South-East. Officials also warned civil servants against absenteeism on Mondays, threatening salary deductions and disciplinary measures.
Meanwhile, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) criticised the market closure, calling it punitive and a violation of traders’ economic rights. The group warned that the action would worsen hardship in a region known for its commercial activities.
Despite the government’s stance, protesting traders appealed for the immediate reopening of the market, insisting that the closure had intensified their economic hardship.
The sit-at-home was originally introduced by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in 2021 but was later suspended.
However, compliance has continued in some states due to fear, with authorities blaming criminal elements rather than IPOB leadership for enforcement.