Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, ordered the Onitsha Main Market to close for a week after vendors disregarded the state government’s order to remain closed on Mondays.

Along with government representatives and assistants, Soludo inspected the market on Monday and verified that security personnel had sealed the area to enforce the closure.

He cautioned that if traders don’t comply, the closure might go longer.

Describing the development as a necessary intervention, Soludo said, “The government cannot stand by while a few individuals willfully undermine public safety and disregard official directives meant to restore normalcy. This is plain economic sabotage. We are not going to allow this. The closure is a protective measure for law-abiding citizens.”

The governor warned that persistent disobedience might result in a one-month shutdown and stated that traders must either move or start operating again.

The market was kept closed by a joint task force of police, the army, and other security services, demonstrating the government’s resolve to put a stop to the disruptions brought on by the regular Monday sit-at-home orders.

The outcome of the week-long closure will determine whether traders will return or stick to the Monday sit-at-home, which will have an impact on the South-East’s overall economic activity as well as Onitsha’s commercial rhythm.

In an effort to deter the sit-at-home protests, the state government earlier said that civil servants’ pay would be modified based on Monday attendance starting in February 2026.

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