Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra has ordered the immediate closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week, following the continued sit-at-home directive observed by traders.

Mr Soludo gave the order on Monday in Onitsha shortly after visiting the market, noting that the market leadership’s refusal to open was in defiance of the government’s directive.

According to him, it is the latest and perhaps most drastic approach to determine who controls time and economic life in South-East Nigeria on Mondays.

“The enemy is the long-standing, fear-enforced Monday sit-at-home order, a ghostly mandate from non-state actors that has strangled businesses and normalised weekly Monday sit-at-home for years.

“In spite of repeated assurances of enhanced security and appeals to reclaim public spaces, many traders at the iconic market again chose to keep their stalls locked,” he said.

Mr Soludo noted that the traders’ absence was not just a quiet rebellion but one that spoke volumes about the lingering climate of apprehension.

The governor explained that the government could not stand by while a few individuals willfully undermined public safety and disregarded official directives aimed at restoring normalcy.

“For the main market of all markets to be shut down, this can no longer go on in Anambra,” the governor said.

He emphasised that if the market did not reopen for business after the one-week shutdown, it would be sealed for a month.

“You either decide that you are going to trade here or you go elsewhere. I am very serious about this. I don’t mind shutting down the main market till the remainder of this year,” Mr Soludo said.

“Going forward, this order would apply to any other market in Anambra that shuts down on Monday.”

The scene at the market was tense as a joint task force of police, the army, and other security personnel moved swiftly to secure the perimeter, turning away the few hopefuls who approached.

The Anambra government decided to begin pro rata salary payments to workers across the state as part of efforts to end the Monday sit-at-home directive enforced by the Indigenous People of Biafra.