BREAKING: Anambra traders abandon Sit-at-home, resume market

Traders at the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State have reopened their shops following a directive by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

On Monday, traders were seen arranging their wares and resuming commercial activities at the market, bringing business back to one of the state’s major trading centres.

Governor Soludo had last week ordered the closure of the market for one week after observing what the state government described as continued compliance by traders with the Monday sit-at-home order imposed by non-state actors.

The governor also warned that if traders failed to open at the end of the one-week shutdown, the market would be closed for another week, and subsequently for longer periods.

However, a week after economic activities were grounded, the traders were seen trooping into the market.

A visit to the market on Monday, Very Nigerian observed that many traders resumed their businesses as early as 8:45am.

Starting from Egerton, to Ose food stuff market, down to The Young Park, one of the major entrances into the Main Market, many traders are seen setting up their wares. From Emeka Offor Plaza to Sokoto road, and to Lagos line and Marine, many traders have opened their shops while customers have started to patronize opened shops. It is clear that the traders are complying to Government’s directives of ignoring the situation at home order.

Sit-At-Home ‘Order’

The order, which has been in place for about four years, disrupted economic and social activities across the South-East and has been publicly condemned by the Soludo administration.

The state government had urged residents to go about their lawful activities without fear and shunning the illegal order, which it describes as an economic sabotage on the region.A man is seen arranging his wares at the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State on Monday, February 2, 2026.

Security personnel, including the police and the army, among others, were later deployed to seal the market gates and ensure compliance.

For years, parts of Anambra State have observed a Monday sit-at-home that disrupted commercial and social activities, leaving markets, schools, and workplaces deserted.

The practice, imposed by non-state actors in the South-East, has been widely criticised for harming the state’s economy, forcing traders, transport workers, and students indoors, especially in hubs like Onitsha.

Some traders are seen at the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State on Monday, February 2, 2026.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo has led efforts to end the shutdown.

In April 2022, he formally declared the sit-at-home over, announced amnesty for youths in hideouts, and promised a peace and reconciliation committee.

He has since said the practice has largely faded, stressing that Anambra is secure and urging residents to resume normal activities, though some still stay home out of caution.

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