Traders at Onitsha Main Market, the largest commercial hub in Anambra State, have reopened their shops after a week-long closure, acting on directives from Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
According to The PUNCH, reopening coincides with heightened security and strong warnings against adherence to sit-at-home orders issued by non-state actors, particularly the Indigenous People of Biafra.
The market closure had been imposed by Governor Soludo after reports indicated that some traders were observing a Monday sit-at-home call by IPOB. The governor cautioned that non-compliance could result in further closures.
“Traders of the Onitsha Main Market have reopened their shops in compliance with a directive by the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo,” Channels Television reported on Monday.
A visit to the market revealed traders back at their stalls as early as 8:45 a.m., arranging wares from Egerton to Ose Foodstuff Market and The Young Park, a key entrance to the Main Market. Areas including Emeka Offor Plaza, Sokoto Road, Lagos Line, and Marine were observed to be active, with customers beginning to patronize shops.
“It is clear that the traders are complying with government directives to ignore the sit-at-home order,” the report added.
IPOB had initially called for a lockdown across the South-East in support of Onitsha traders. Through its spokesman Emma Powerful, the group urged traders, transporters, banks, schools, and civil servants to observe the strike peacefully.
However, IPOB’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, dismissed the lockdown directive, calling it “a fake” and “a calculated falsehood,” urging the public to disregard it. He noted that IPOB had long denounced sit-at-home orders.
The Anambra State Police Command on Sunday also issued a stern warning to residents, emphasizing the dangers posed by non-state actors on social media.
“Following the security assessment of the implications, or otherwise, of full resumption of all social, commercial, and official activities in Anambra State on Monday, the Police Command has identified a deliberate, recurring pattern of coordinated social media posts by some non-state actors aimed at spreading fear, misinformation, and bigotry among the public,” the statement said.
The police added that such narratives are meant “to cause panic, undermine public confidence, and disrupt the peace currently enjoyed in the State.”
“The resilience, cooperation, and timely sharing of credible information by residents continues to play a critical role in sustaining public order and safety,” the statement further noted.
Authorities also announced intensified intelligence-led patrols, security surveillance, and proactive operations to safeguard lives and property. Residents were advised to ignore unverified social media content and report any suspicious activities.
“Members of the public are advised to disregard unverified social media content being propagated by non-state actors and to report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest Police formation or through established emergency channels,” the statement said.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and public safety, while the state government assured traders of full security coverage as economic activities resume.
