Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has branded a serious warning to traders in the state, threatening to seal any shop or plaza that remains closed on Mondays in compliance with the sit-at-home order, previously declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Speaking during an inspection of the Main Market in Onitsha on Monday, Soludo expressed disappointment at the large number of locked shops.
His visit was to assess the level of commercial activity amidst the ongoing sit-at-home disruptions, despite IPOB officially suspending the order.
The sit-at-home protest, which began in 2021 over the extraordinary rendition of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, continues to paralyze business activities in the South East due to fears of violent enforcement. Schools, banks, and markets, including West Africa’s largest, the Onitsha Main Market, often remain shut.
In response, Soludo issued a clear ultimatum to traders: reopen or face harsh consequences.
“I am here to ensure that your shops are open. From now on, every Monday, the Main Market must be open for business,” he declared. He added that shops that fail to comply will be sealed for one week, and in severe cases, for up to one month.
The governor emphasized that the continued closure of businesses on Mondays would negatively impact the economy, warning that customers might start sourcing goods from other regions. Soludo assured traders that security measures would be strengthened, urging them to return to normal operations on Mondays.
