Traders of the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State have reportedly defied a sit-at-home order by a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by reopening their shops in compliance with a directive by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
The IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, had last week announced the sit-at-home on Mondays throughout the South-East.
But the Directorate of State (DOS) of IPOB in a statement on Sunday, denounced the order, stating that it did not emanate from the Directorate and did not have the blessings of the IPOB’s convicted leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Last Monday, Soludo ordered that the market be shut down for one week over the traders’ compliance with the sit-at-home order by non-state actors.
He warned that if traders failed to open at the end of the one-week shutdown, the market would be closed for another week, and subsequently for longer periods.
However, in compliance with the governor’s orders, reports have emerged that the traders have reopened their shops as business in the market commenced in earnest.
A visit to the market by Channels Television crew revealed that many traders resumed their businesses as early as 8:45am.
“Starting from Egerton, to Ose food stuff market, down to The Young Park, one of the major entrances into the Main Market, many traders are seen setting up their wares,” the Channels TV report stated.
“From Emeka Offor Plaza to Sokoto road, and to Lagos line and Marine, many traders have opened their shops while customers have started to patronize opened shops. It is clear that the traders are complying to Government’s directives of ignoring the situation at home order.
“The order, which has been in place for about four years, disrupted economic and social activities across the South-East and has been publicly condemned by the Soludo administration.
“The state government had urged residents to go about their lawful activities without fear and shunning the illegal order, which it describes as an economic sabotage on the region.A man is seen arranging his wares at the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State on Monday, February 2, 2026.
“Security personnel, including the police and the army, among others, were later deployed to seal the market gates and ensure compliance,” the report said.
