Anxiety spread across Anambra State on Sunday after Governor Chukwuma Soludo directed the reopening of the Onitsha Main Market, despite threats by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to enforce a sit-at-home across the South-East.
The market had been shut for one week from last Monday after traders were accused of observing IPOB’s sit-at-home order. At the time, the governor warned that the closure could be prolonged or sections of the market demolished if traders continued to disregard government directives.
The reopening followed consultations between the state government and market leaders but comes amid IPOB’s declaration of a sit-at-home on Monday, February 2, 2026, in Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states. The group said the action was to protest the continued detention of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement titled “Onitsha Main Market Re-opens on Monday, February 2,” the Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, announced that the closure order had elapsed. He instructed traders to resume business, insisting that there was no longer any sit-at-home on Mondays in Anambra State.
Mefor assured residents of adequate security and urged them to report suspicious activities via the emergency line 5111. He also reaffirmed the government’s pro-rata salary policy, warning that civil servants and teachers who fail to report to work on Mondays would forfeit their pay. Parents were similarly cautioned to ensure their children attend school or face sanctions.
Backing the directive, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Policing, Chief Ken Emeakayi, reassured traders of comprehensive security. In a statement issued through Agunechemba’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Nweke Nweke, he said security arrangements had been strengthened across markets statewide.
“Agunechemba, working with the police and other federal security agencies, is fully prepared to protect lives and property,” the statement said, adding that additional measures were in place to counter any threats on Mondays.
Meanwhile, IPOB, through its spokesman Emma Powerful, accused the Anambra State Government of working with “Abuja interests” to weaken Igbo traders and the Biafran struggle. The group described the sit-at-home as a “Biafra-wide solidarity strike” and urged residents to remain indoors.
Dismissing the threat, Agunechemba advised traders and residents to ignore intimidation from non-state actors. Emeakayi warned that those calling for business shutdowns often continue their own commercial activities.
“Anyone urging you to close your shop while they trade freely is not acting in your interest but endangering your livelihood and future,” he said.
He expressed optimism that traders would cooperate with security agencies to ensure peace and restore full economic activities across Anambra State.
