Tensions boil over: soludo's bold move to shut down onitsha main market amid sit-at-home saga

In the bustling heart of anambra state, where commerce pulses like the lifeblood of the southeast, a dramatic standoff has unfolded. governor chukwuma soludo, known for his no-nonsense approach to governance, has slammed the gates on onitsha main market�the largest market in west africa�for a full week. this unprecedented lockdown, enforced by armed soldiers, comes as a direct response to traders defying state orders by observing the indigenous people of biafra's (ipob) longstanding monday sit-at-home directive. but is this tough-love tactic the key to restoring normalcy, or a recipe for deeper unrest? as protests erupt and voices clash, we dive into the controversy shaking nigeria's economic powerhouse. it all began on a seemingly ordinary monday in late january 2026. despite repeated warnings from the anambra state government, traders at onitsha main market chose to shutter their shops in adherence to ipob's sit-at-home order�a protest ritual born from demands for the release of their leader, nnamdi kanu, who remains incarcerated. the sit-at-home, which has plagued the southeast for years, enforces a weekly economic paralysis, costing anambra billions in lost revenue and stifling daily life. governor soludo, a former central bank chief with a reputation for economic pragmatism, had had enough. in a swift announcement on january 26, he ordered the immediate one-week closure of the market, framing it as a "necessary step to send the appropriate signals" against the ongoing disruptions. by the next day, soldiers were on the ground, sealing off entrances and patrolling the sprawling complex, which houses thousands of stalls dealing in everything from electronics to textiles. the reaction from the market's traders was immediate and fierce. videos circulating on social media show crowds gathering outside the locked gates, chanting slogans and pleading for reprieve. chijioke okpalaugo, chairman of the onitsha main market, described the shutdown as a harsh blow to livelihoods already strained by economic hardships. "our hands are clean," one trader lamented in a viral clip, echoing a sentiment that the traders are mere victims of a larger political tussle. many argue that the sit-at-home isn't voluntary but enforced by fear�past incidents of violence against those who defy it have left scars. "where were the military when miscreants were attacking us?" asked one x user, highlighting the irony of security forces now turning against the very people they failed to protect earlier. for a market that generates immense revenue for the state�estimated at billions weekly�the lockdown spells disaster for small-scale vendors who live hand-to-mouth. ipob wasted no time in firing back. in a strongly worded statement, the separatist group condemned soludo's actions as "draconian" and accused him of exacerbating tensions rather than addressing root causes. they argue that the sit-at-home is a peaceful protest for kanu's freedom, and punishing ordinary citizens only alienates the government further from the people. this isn't soludo's first rodeo with ipob. since taking office, he's vowed to end the sit-at-home culture, implementing measures like increased security patrols and incentives for businesses to operate on mondays. yet, compliance remains spotty, with fear overriding official decrees. critics on social platforms question the governor's strategy: "who is losing now? revenue 101," quipped one observer, pointing out that the state stands to lose even more from the enforced closure. the onitsha lockdown isn't just a local spat�it's a microcosm of nigeria's southeast challenges. the sit-at-home has crippled regional gdp, deterring investors and fueling unemployment. soludo's move signals a hardening stance against separatist influences, but at what cost? analysts warn that alienating traders could spark wider protests or even boost ipob's support base. on the flip side, proponents see it as a bold step toward reclaiming control. "it's time to break the cycle," says a government insider, emphasizing that normalcy must prevail for anambra's development agenda to thrive. as the week unfolds, all eyes are on whether this gambit will deter future sit-at-homes or ignite a powder keg. in a region where politics, economics, and identity intertwine so tightly, soludo's lockdown is a high-stakes bet. will it foster resilience or resentment? only time�and the resilient spirit of onitsha's traders�will tell.