Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, on Monday ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market after observing that traders had shut their shops in compliance with the sit-at-home directive issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The decision followed the announcement by the outlawed group of a one-day sit-at-home scheduled for Monday, 2 February, across the South-east region of Nigeria. IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, disclosed this in a statement released on Friday, describing the action as a protest against the state government’s closure of the Onitsha market.
Coastal Reporters had earlier reported that Governor Soludo ordered the market shut for one week during a visit on 26 January, after noticing that commercial activities had been halted in observance of the sit-at-home order. The directive, which is considered illegal, is often enforced by a faction within IPOB.
On Monday night, the Anambra State Government claimed—without giving specific details—that the recurring sit-at-home actions cost the state an estimated ₦8 billion weekly.
The governor’s decision sparked widespread protests by traders, who on Tuesday openly supported the Monday sit-at-home in solidarity with IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
By Wednesday, the protests escalated as demonstrators blocked the River Niger Bridge, a major transport route linking Onitsha in Anambra State with Asaba in Delta State, effectively causing a complete lockdown of movement in the area.
