Governor Chukwuma Soludo ordered Onitsha Main Market, the biggest commercial center in Anambra State, to resume on Monday following a one-week closure.
Despite repeated official warnings against following orders from non-state actors, traders complied with the Indigenous People of Biafra’s (IPOB) Monday sit-at-home order, leading to the shutdown.
Determined to bring back economic activity and normalcy, Governor Soludo has issued a warning that more fines would result from the closure.
As early as 8:45 a.m., vendors started coming back to the market in response to his order, with stores reopening along important thoroughfares like Egerton, Ose Foodstuff Market, The Young Park, Emeka Offor Plaza, Sokoto Road, Lagos Line, and Marine. Additionally, patrons were observed visiting different stalls, indicating a resumption to regular business operations.
The state government’s stance was supported by heightened security measures over the market and neighboring areas.
The Anambra State Police Command issued a strong caution to citizens and business owners, advising them to avoid threats and misinformation circulated by non-state actors, particularly via social media.
“The Police Command has identified a deliberate pattern of coordinated social media posts by some non-state actors aimed at spreading fear, misinformation, and bigotry,” a statement from the police read.
In support of the traders, IPOB reportedly demanded a lockdown throughout the Southeast. However, the group’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, dismissed the directive as fake, reiterating that IPOB had long renounced sit-at-home orders.
He urged people to disregard these calls and carry on with their regular lives.
The police further informed residents of expanded patrols, intelligence-led surveillance, and rigorous security operations to prevent any threats to lives and property. As business operations resumed, the government reaffirmed its commitment to guaranteeing the security of traders and the general public.
