Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders failed to comply with the state government’s directive to ignore the Monday sit at home order.
Soludo issued the directive on Monday during an on the spot assessment of the market, accompanied by government officials and security agencies. The market was immediately sealed to enforce the shutdown.
The governor described the continued closure of shops despite security assurances as economic sabotage, warning that the action undermines efforts to restore normal commercial activities in the state.
He said the closure could be extended if traders persist in defying the directive, adding that authorities would seal the market for one month if it fails to reopen after the one week shutdown.
Monday’s enforcement was marked by heavy security deployment, with police, soldiers and other operatives securing the area.
The shutdown highlights the state government’s renewed push to end the Monday sit at home, which has continued to disrupt economic activities across parts of the South East.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Government has announced plans to introduce pro rata salary payments for civil servants, tying salaries to Monday attendance from February 2026 as part of measures to curb the sit at home.
