SOLUDO CRACKS THE WHIP: ONITSHA MAIN MARKET SHUT FOR A WEEK OVER SIT-AT-HOME DEFIANCE

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the immediate closure of the Onitsha Main Market for an initial period of one week, following traders’ refusal to open for business on Monday in defiance of the state government’s directive.
The decisive action, taken on Monday, is aimed at enforcing compliance with the government’s order abolishing the controversial Monday sit-at-home, which has for years crippled economic and social activities across the South-East.
Despite repeated warnings by the state government to ignore the sit-at-home imposed by non-state actors and resume normal commercial activities, many traders at the market failed to open their shops, prompting the shutdown.
Governor Soludo warned that the sanctions would escalate if defiance continues, stating that the market would be closed for one month should traders refuse to comply after the initial one-week period, with further penalties to follow if necessary.
He described the closure as a necessary step to protect law-abiding citizens, restore normalcy, and assert the authority of the state, stressing that the government would not tolerate actions that undermine public safety or disregard lawful directives.
Following the order, security operatives, including the police and the army, were deployed to seal the market gates and enforce compliance.