In the bustling city of Onitsha, Anambra State, a wave of unrest swept through the streets on Tuesday 27th January 2026, as traders from the Onitsha Main Market took to protesting against the government’s decision to shut down the market.
This decision, enforced by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, was a response to the traders’ continued compliance with the “sit-at-home” orders, which have been a point of contention in the region.
The shutdown was announced after traders defied the state’s directive to open for business on Mondays, a day that has been unofficially observed as a sit-at-home day in solidarity with the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The Governor was categorical in wierding the big hammer, insisting that the market would remain closed for one week, and this measure would extend to any other market in Anambra that failed to operate on Mondays.
As the closure took effect, security agencies, including hundreds of personnel supported by Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Hilux vans, were deployed to enforce the order. They barricaded the market, ensuring that the Governor’s directive was strictly adhered to. This heavy security presence, however, did not deter the traders, who gathered in large numbers to express their dissatisfaction.
The protest was marked by chants and songs in support of Nnamdi Kanu, highlighting the deep-rooted political and social tensions in the region. The traders’ demonstration was not just a reaction to the economic implications of the shutdown but also a manifestation of their solidarity with the IPOB leader.
Governor Soludo’s decision to close the market was part of a broader strategy to curb what he described as “economic sabotage” disguised as the sit-at-home order. He emphasized that the state could not afford to lose economic activity every Monday and warned that similar actions would be taken against other markets that failed to comply with the state’s directives.
Despite the tension, the Anambra State Government acknowledged the disturbance and commended the police for their swift action in restoring order. The situation remains delicate, with the potential for further unrest if a resolution is not reached soon.
This protest in Onitsha Main Market underscores the complex interplay between economic activities and political allegiances in southeastern Nigeria, reflecting broader challenges faced by the region in balancing governance, economic stability, and political expression.
