The ongoing sit-at-home by traders in Anambra reflects deep-seated issues within the community.

These Sit-at-home not only reveal the traders’ determination but also signal the challenges faced by authorities in restoring trust and cooperation.

Anambra Traders Maintain Sit-At-Home Despite Soludo’s Order

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For years, commercial and economic activities have been disrupted on Mondays in the major markets of Onitsha, Nnewi, Obosi, and Ekwulobia in Anambra State.

This week, there was a notably low turnout of traders, with most shops in major markets, including Onitsha Main Market, Ochanja Market, Nkpor Motor Parts Market, Electrical Market, and Mgbuka Market, remaining shut.

The typical Monday closures also extended to motor parks, banks, petrol stations, schools, offices, and law courts.

Governor Soludo’s Warning

This situation continues despite last week’s warning from Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who visited Onitsha Main Market and threatened to seal any shop or plaza that chose to stay closed on Mondays under the guise of the sit-at-home order.

Soludo had lamented the continuous boycott of activities on Mondays in the South-East, arguing that the zone lost an estimated ₦19.6bn every Monday.

He warned that any trader or business that refused to open on Mondays would face severe penalties, including the sealing of shops for up to one month.

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”.

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The governor also promised a security presence around the markets, adding that policemen and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps would be patrolling to maintain law and order.

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At the time of filing this report on Monday, the governor was yet to visit the market as promised.

Meanwhile, personnel of the NSCDC were observed patrolling some of the markets, and metropolis, conducting “anti-sit-at-home operation,” while encouraging people to come out.

Some of the traders who came to the markets on Monday stood around their shops for fear that opening posed a threat to their lives and properties.

A textile trader at the Main Market 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 good.

“Most people are afraid of opening their shops for fear of being attacked. Those that came to the market today are those selling by the roadside”.

History Of Sit-at-home

The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra had, in August 2021, introduced the sit-at-home order every Monday across the southeast to pressure the Federal Government to release its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Although the group suspended the sit-at-home order except on days Nnamdi Kanu would appear in court, the people have continued to observe it for fear of attack.

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