Traders at the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State on Monday resumed business following a one-week shutdown, after Governor Chukwuma Soludo directed traders to reopen their shops and warned against compliance with sit-at-home orders issued by non-state actors.
The market had earlier been shut on the orders of the state government after reports emerged that some traders were observing a Monday sit-at-home directive linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
A visit to the market revealed a return of commercial activities as early as 8:45am, with traders opening shops across major sections including Egerton Road, Ose Foodstuff Market, Young Park, Emeka Offor Plaza, Sokoto Road, Lagos Line and Marine area.
Customers were also seen patronising shops under tight security presence.
DAILY GAZETTE reports that the traders reopened their shops in compliance with the governor’s directive, adding that the development signalled a growing resolve by traders to ignore the sit-at-home order.
Governor Soludo had earlier warned that failure to comply with the directive to reopen could attract further sanctions, including extended closure of the market.
The proscribed IPOB had announced a sit-at-home across the South-East in solidarity with Onitsha traders, urging residents, transporters, financial institutions, schools and civil servants to observe the action peacefully.
However, IPOB’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, dismissed the lockdown directive, describing it as fake and misleading, while reiterating that the group had distanced itself from sit-at-home orders.
The Anambra State Police Command also issued a security advisory on Sunday, warning residents against misinformation and intimidation by non-state actors on social media.
According to the police, intelligence reports revealed a pattern of coordinated online narratives aimed at instilling fear, spreading false information and undermining public confidence.
The police said they had intensified intelligence-led patrols, surveillance and proactive security operations across the state to safeguard lives and property, urging residents to disregard unverified social media messages and report suspicious activities.
The Anambra State Government assured traders of adequate security as full economic activities gradually return to the market.
