Nigeria – Soludo Threatens To Seal Shops of Traders Observing IPOB Sit-at-Home

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has issued a firm ultimatum to traders and business owners in the state, threatening to seal any shops or plazas that remain closed on Mondays in compliance with the sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in 2021.

The order, originally enforced to protest the extraordinary rendition and detention of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, continues to affect economic activities in the Southeast despite its official suspension by IPOB.

Soludo made the declaration during an inspection tour of the Main Market in Onitsha, one of the largest markets in West Africa, where he observed a significant number of shops and businesses locked in observance of the sit-at-home order.

The governor, visibly displeased, warned that any trader who failed to open their shop on Mondays would face harsh penalties, including the sealing of their shops for up to one month.

“I am here to ensure that your shops are open. From now on, every Monday, the Main Market must be open for business,” Soludo stated. “If you fail to open, your shop will be sealed for one week, and if necessary, for up to one month. This state cannot afford to have its economy crippled any further. When you are ready to open, it must be from Monday through Saturday.”

The sit-at-home order, declared by IPOB in response to Kanu’s arrest in 2021, has been a major point of contention in the region.

Though IPOB officially suspended the order, fear of violent enforcement from rogue elements has kept markets, schools, banks, and other businesses shut every Monday.

The governor expressed concern that the continued adherence to the order, despite its suspension, was causing immense damage to Anambra’s economy and threatening the livelihoods of traders and workers.

Soludo urged business owners to resist the fear imposed by the sit-at-home order and return to their normal operations, assuring them that his government has put in place adequate security measures to protect them. “We have strengthened security across the state to ensure the safety of our people. I urge you to resume full commercial activities on Mondays,” he said.

The governor also warned that persistent closures could drive customers away, with many seeking goods from neighboring states, further weakening Anambra’s economic standing. He emphasized that this disruption, stemming from the unresolved situation around Nnamdi Kanu, must come to an end for the state to thrive.

The sit-at-home protest was initiated in response to the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, who was allegedly apprehended in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria under controversial circumstances in 2021. Despite legal battles and calls for his release, Kanu remains in detention, facing terrorism and treason-related charges.

His detention has sparked unrest across the Southeast, with supporters frequently calling for his release and using the sit-at-home order as a means of protest.