Traders of the Onitsha Main Market have reopened their shops in compliance with a directive by the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, though fears persist following the placement of a coffin at the market’s administrative headquarters and the alleged resignation of the market chairman.
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Soludo had last Monday ordered that the market be shut down for one week due to the perceived compliance with the Monday sit-at-home order by non-state actors.
The governor also warned that if traders failed to open at the end of the one-week shutdown, the market would be closed for another week, and subsequently for longer periods.
However, a week after economic activities were grounded, the traders were seen trooping into the market.
A visit to the market on Monday, February 2, 2026, Our correspondent observed that many traders resumed their businesses as early as 8:45am.
Starting from Egerton, to Ose food stuff market, down to The Young Park, one of the major entrances into the Main Market, many traders are seen setting up their wares. From Emeka Offor Plaza to Sokoto road, and to Lagos line and Marine, many traders have opened their shops while customers have started to patronize opened shops. It is clear that the traders are complying to Government’s directives of ignoring the sit-at-home order.
Nigerian soldiers were captured while patrolling in the partially-closed section of Onitsha Main Market this morning.
While a section of the market opened for business, as directed by Governor Soludo, a majority of the market is still closed.
The report from Onitsha Main Market says that the traders, including the market leaders, came out but did not open their shops, fearing attacks.
Apparently to discourage traders from resuming on Monday, February 2, as directed by Governor Charles Soludo, suspected hoodlums Sunday night reportedly placed a coffin in front of the “White House”, the administrative headquarters of the Onitsha Main Market.
Our correspondent gathered that even the security men who guard the “White House” could not explain when and how the coffin was brought to the place and who placed it there.
Also, there is news making the rounds that the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Chijioke Okpalaugo, has allegedly resigned his leadership of the market. Vanguard could not immediately confirm the reports.
However, some traders said that his resignation is not unconnected with Governor Soludo’s order that the market should be opened today, and he is not ready to risk his life opening the market.
Some traders also said that the coffin placed in front of his office, the “White House”, is a direct warning against him not to allow the market to open today, to avoid suffering the fate of Francis Enibe, Chairman of Mgbuka Amazu Market Obosi, who was kidnapped in his market on a Monday and has been missing for over two years now.
Our correspondent gathered from a trader that the alleged resignation of the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market was the trending news on the traders’ WhatsApp group.
Some traders, who spoke this morning, said that they would not step out or go to the market. A trader also told our correspondent that he has told his four apprentices who leave his house for the market daily as early as 6:30am, not to step out, because he does not want to answer any questions from their parents.
There was no vehicular and human movement as usually seen in recent times in Onitsha before the shutdown of the market by Governor Soludo.
A trader, Okechukwu Okafor, told Vanguard that traders want the governor to come to Onitsha to address them to open the market, as he was said to have done last Monday when he ordered that the market be shut down.
“It is not just staying in Awka and surrounded by the army, police and DSS and giving orders that the Onitsha Main Market should be reopened. We want Governor Soludo to come to Onitsha like he did last week when he ordered the market to be shut down. He should also come and do the normal opening ceremony so that the traders in the market will start trading,” Okafor said.
This is what Governor Soludo is expected to pay attention to. Allay the people’s fears by assuring and ensuring security.
The sit-at-home order, which has been in place for about four years, disrupted economic and social activities across the South-East and has been publicly condemned by the Soludo administration.
The state government had urged residents to go about their lawful activities without fear and shunning the illegal order, which it describes as an economic sabotage on the region.
Security personnel, including the police and the army, among others, were later deployed to seal the market gates and ensure compliance.
For years, parts of Anambra State have observed a Monday sit-at-home that disrupted commercial and social activities, leaving markets, schools, and workplaces deserted.
The practice, imposed by non-state actors in the South-East, has been widely criticised for harming the state’s economy, forcing traders, transport workers, and students indoors, especially in hubs like Onitsha.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo has led efforts to end the shutdown.
In April 2022, he formally declared the sit-at-home over, announced amnesty for youths in hideouts, and promised a peace and reconciliation committee.
He has since said the practice has largely faded, stressing that Anambra is secure and urging residents to resume normal activities, though some still stay home out of caution.
While our correspondent observed significant compliance with many traders opening as early as 8:45am, the presence of soldiers patrolling partially-closed sections and the reports of traders staying home indicate that fear remains a significant factor.
The coffin incident and the alleged resignation of the market chairman underscore the ongoing security concerns that continue to affect economic activities in the South-East’s commercial hub.
Despite the government’s directive and the presence of security forces, Onitsha remains effectively on lockdown as of February 2, 2026, with a section of traders complying while others remain at home, caught between government orders and threats from non-state actors.
The situation highlights the complex security and economic challenges facing Governor Soludo’s administration as it attempts to restore normalcy to Anambra’s commercial activities while addressing legitimate security fears among traders and residents.
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