Soludo lifts Onitsha market closure

 

The Anambra State Government has confirmed that the Onitsha Main Market will reopen on Monday, allowing traders to resume full commercial activities, while assuring residents and business owners of adequate security.

The market had been shut for one week after Governor Chukwuma Soludo ordered its closure over traders’ failure to comply with the state government’s directive to ignore the Monday sit-at-home order.

The directive followed an on-the-spot assessment of the market by the governor on Monday, during which he was accompanied by senior government officials and security operatives.

At the time, Soludo warned that the shutdown could be extended if compliance was not achieved, noting that security agencies had been deployed to seal the market and enforce the order.

However, in a statement released on Sunday, the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, announced that the one-week closure had ended and instructed traders to return to normal business operations on Monday.

Mefor urged traders to disregard threats from non-state actors, assuring them of maximum security across the state. He also encouraged residents to report any security concerns through the emergency line, 5111.

The commissioner further reminded civil servants and teachers that the state’s pro-rata salary policy remains applicable, stressing that “no work on Monday means no pay.”

He also cautioned parents to ensure that their children attend school on Mondays to avoid sanctions.

The statement read in part, “This is to inform the general public that the closure of Onitsha Main Market, ordered by Mr Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, lapses this weekend.

“Accordingly, all traders are hereby directed to resume business as usual on Monday, February 2, 2026, as there is no longer any form of sit-at-home on Mondays in Anambra State.

“Ndị Anambra and residents are assured of adequate security and are encouraged to report any security concerns to 5111.

“Meanwhile, civil servants and teachers are reminded that the pro-rata salary system remains in force — no work on Monday, no pay.

“Parents are also advised to release their children for school on Mondays to avoid sanctions.”