Onitsha Traders Protest Soludo’s Market Shutdown

Traders in Onitsha Main Market took to the streets on Tuesday, January 27, to protest the one-week closure of the market, ordered by Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State.

The protest followed the government’s decision to shut the market for seven days because many traders continued to observe a weekly sit-at-home and kept their shops closed on Mondays.

This was despite official instructions to open for business.

Why the Market Was Closed

According to reports, Governor Soludo visited the market on Monday, January 26, 2026 and he discovered that the majority of the vendors had not opened their stores.

This was despite the government’s repeated requests for them to start regular commerce of trading from Monday through Friday,

Soludo wrote on X, claiming that the ongoing market closure amounts to economic sabotage and is detrimental to the state’s economy.

He mentioned the decision was made carefully to protect the state’s economy and people’s livelihoods.

“This action is not taken lightly, as I am determined to protect the economic interests of our state and its people. No individual or group has the right to halt the lives and livelihood of the people.”

Security personnel, including the army and police, blocked market entrances to enforce the shutdown ensuring vendors and patrons were prevented from entering.

What Happened During the Protest

Videos and firsthand reports depict vendors carrying placards and chanting as they march from the market’s interior toward Onitsha’s Upper Iweka neighborhood.

Additionally, several traders supported Nnamdi Kanu, the imprisoned leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), whose members had advocated for the sit-at-home policy, by singing songs of solidarity.

Many vendors voiced their dissatisfaction about losing sales due to the closure order during the largely nonviolent protest.

Wider Context

In some areas of the South-East, sit-at-home protests have been practiced every week for years.

Governor Soludo and other government representatives have stated time and time again that the practice is detrimental to the state’s economy and that efforts are being made to put an end to it.

However, IPOB has criticized the governor’s decision, calling the market closure harsh and advising vendors to disregard the closure and restore their businesses.

What’s Next

The market is expected to reopen on Monday, next week. So far, everyone is waiting to see if vendors will resume their trading or carry on with the protest.

The result may have a huge impact on Anambra State’s future Monday commercial and economic life.