Anambra sit-at-home tension rises as traders face sanctions over Monday reopening amid IPOB threat and heavy security deployment

Charles Soludo, Governor of Anambra State, and leaders of the Onitsha Main Market face mounting Anambra sit-at-home tension ahead of Monday’s planned reopening of trading activities following threats by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra to enforce a solidarity shutdown across the Southeast.

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Emma Powerful, spokesperson for the group, had called on traders, transporters, banks, schools and civil servants to observe what the group described as a peaceful sit-at-home in response to the state government’s week-long closure of the market.

Emma Powerful said the action was linked to the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu and described the market closure as an attempt to weaken civil disobedience in the region.

Law Mefor, Anambra State Commissioner for Information, rejected the position on Saturday, stating that the enforcement of the sit-at-home had evolved into a criminal enterprise.

Law Mefor quoted Charles Soludo as directing that all markets and shops across the state must open on every working day.

Law Mefor warned that traders who failed to comply with the directive risked sanctions, including revocation of shop ownership, adding that extensive security deployments would accompany the reopening.

Chijioke Okpalugo, Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market, told state officials during a meeting in Awka that traders would resume on Monday while requesting visible security presence to reassure shop owners and customers.

Audio messages circulated among traders, and confirmed by a senior official, indicated that attendance registers would be introduced across market lines to monitor compliance.

The messages warned that traders who failed to appear risked losing their shops and could face financial penalties before ownership is restored.

Law Mefor said local government officials would supervise compliance and reiterated that security agencies, including the army, police, civil defence and state security outfits, would be deployed across Onitsha.

Law Mefor stated, “By Monday, we will know those who still insist on staying at home. If you do not open your shop, you are part of economic sabotage.”

Law Mefor added that the state government planned to commence reconstruction of the market in line with its original master plan within three years.

Awuzie Unachukwu, President of the Ala-Igbo Development Foundation, urged caution, arguing that fear among residents required reassurance rather than punitive measures.

Awuzie Unachukwu said visible security arrangements and confidence-building steps would be more effective in encouraging traders to return.

Alex Ogbonnia, immediate past National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, called for an end to the sit-at-home order, noting that prolonged shutdowns were harming the region’s economy and that dialogue remained necessary.

Henry Okoye, spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, said adequate security had been put in place to prevent disorder and advised residents to go about their normal activities peacefully.

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The unfolding situation underscores the delicate balance between enforcement, public safety and economic survival as Anambra prepares for a decisive Monday.