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Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has dismissed claims by some traders in Onitsha Main Market that they do not open on Mondays due to insecurity, calling the assertion “delusional.”
Soludo emphasised that the sit-at-home order ended in 2023, describing the continued failure of traders to open on Mondays as an act of economic sabotage. “Since 2023, anyone saying they did not open the shop because of insecurity is just delusional. Go to other places with greater insecurity, and the markets remain open. Onitsha Main Market has over 150 security personnel, yet traders claim insecurity stops them from opening? Absolute nonsense,” he stated.
The governor argued that if traders can go to the stadium on Mondays to play, exercise on the roads, or engage in street trading, they could equally open their shops. “You are in the stadium playing, insecurity allows street trading all over the place — but it doesn’t allow you to open shops at the Main Market,” he said.
On Monday, Soludo ordered a one-week closure of the major South-East market, citing traders’ perceived compliance with the Monday sit-at-home order enforced by non-state actors. He warned that failure to reopen at the end of the shutdown could result in longer closures. During a broadcast on Wednesday, the governor reiterated that Onitsha Main Market belongs to the state government and must operate six days a week, adding that shop ownership could be revoked for defaulters.
Despite assurances, some traders remain concerned about safety. Gibson Okafor told Channels Television that, while security has been provided in the market, there is still insufficient protection on the routes leading to it on Mondays. He added that the combination of security concerns, banks remaining closed, and lack of transport contributes to traders’ inability to open. “If they don’t see security men and transporters, they can’t come to the market. Everything must be in place for traders to reach the market,” he said.
For years, parts of Anambra State were paralysed every Monday by a sit-at-home order imposed by non-state actors, which emptied markets, schools, and offices, disrupting economic and social activity. To restore normalcy, Governor Soludo officially ended the directive in April 2022, launched an amnesty programme for youths in hideouts, and created a peace and reconciliation committee to ensure lasting stability.
