Commercial and economic activities were on Monday paralysed across major markets in the commercial cities of Onitsha, Nnewi, Obosi, and Ekwulobia, in Anambra State, in defiance to the state government’s position on it.
The sit-at-home was massively observed in Onitsha, despite an earlier order by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to markets and shop owners not to respect the IPOB-imposed order.
Our correspondent, who went round the metropolis on Monday, observed that turn out of traders was very low and activities scanty, as most shops in major markets such as Onitsha Main Market, Ochanja Market, Nkpor Motor Parts Market, Electrical Market, Mgbuka Market, remained under lock and key.
It was also observed that as usual on Mondays, motor parks, banks, petrol filling stations, schools, offices, and law courts remained shut while major roads were scanty and devoid of their usual busy activities.
This was despite the presence of operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, who were seen patrolling around some markets and conducting “anti-sit-at-home operations”. They were also seen encouraging people to come out.
Some of the traders who were at various markets in the state did not open their shops as they were seen hanging.
Some traders who spoke to BusinessDay expressed concern about the security of their lives and property, should they open for business. They called for more security presence around the markets.
A textile trader at the Main Market, Udoka, said, “Some of us came around to observe the situation. The presence of the NSCDC officers is encouraging; if they can continue, it will be a good development. Most people are afraid of opening their shops because of possible attacks. Those that came to the market today are those that are selling by the roadside.”
Read also: Soludo threatens to seal shops in Anambra over IPOB sit-at-home order
The Anambra State governor, Soludo, had last week Monday, during his visit to Onitsha Main Market, threatened to seal any shop or plaza that closed on Mondays in the name of sit-at-home.
Soludo lamented the continuous boycott of activities on Mondays in the South-East, arguing that the zone loses an estimated N19.6 billion every Monday.
The governor, who inspected the markets, warned that any trader or business that refuses to open on Mondays would face severe penalties, including the sealing of shops for up to one month. He stressed that the persistent closure of businesses on Mondays would damage the local economy, as customers might start going to other regions to purchase goods.
He said, “I am here to ensure that your shops are open.
From now on, every Monday, the Main Market must be open for business. If you fail to open, your shop will be sealed for one week, and if necessary, for up to one month. When you are ready to open, it must be from Monday through Saturday.”
However, as of the time of filing this report, the governor had not visited the market, though he promised to come for an inspection.
Recall that the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in August 2021 introduced the sit-at-home order every Monday across the South-East to pressure the Federal Government to release its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Although the group had suspended the Monday sit-at-home order in preference for it to be implemented only on days Kanu would appear in court, the people have continued to observe it due to fear of being attacked by hoodlums.
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