Soludo Declares End to Sit-at-Home Order as Onitsha Main Market Reopens

Following a prolonged period of inactivity, traders at the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State have reopened their shops this Monday, as Governor Chukwuma Soludo officially announced the termination of the sit-at-home practice in the city.

In the early hours, the market appeared quiet with many shops remaining closed and minimal vehicle movement recorded throughout Anambra State. However, as the day went on, a sense of confidence began to build which encouraged traders to open their shops by midday and resume normal business operations, alleviating earlier anxieties about potential disturbances.

Traders reported that a compliance check was initiated wherein attendance registers were signed as per the governor’s directive for Monday trading activities. Additionally, there was a noticeable increase in security, featuring police and military patrols around the market area to ensure public safety.

One of the traders, Mrs. Chinyere, who runs a shop selling phone accessories at Emeka Offor Plaza, expressed her relief at being able to fully conduct business again on Mondays, emphasizing that Anambra should not be economically stifled while other Southeastern regions continue their operations smoothly.

Later in the day, around 2 p.m., Governor Soludo visited the market, engaged with traders, made purchases, and praised them for conquering their fears. He declared the end of the sit-at-home, calling the reopening historic. He pointed out that this was the first occasion in nearly five years that Onitsha had resumed full trading on a Monday.

"Today marks the first time in five years that Onitsha is open for business on Monday. We have officially ended the sit-at-home order here," Soludo announced, receiving enthusiastic applause from the market traders as he toured the area.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) lauded both the governor and the traders for this bold move toward economic revitalization.

In a statement from its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the organization remarked that the ending of the sit-at-home directive would greatly assist in revitalizing the economy of the South-East region, which has suffered due to such longtime disruptions.

HURIWA also urged security forces to maintain their efforts to tackle ongoing insecurity in the area and has called for clear communication regarding the conflicting reports surrounding an alleged notorious IPOB commander said to have resurfaced after being previously declared captured.

They urged the Defence Headquarters to provide credible updates to the public to strengthen confidence in current security operations.