The Anambra State Government has revealed that the state loses about N8 billion weekly, while the entire South-East region loses an estimated N19.6 billion every week, due to the continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home order.
This disclosure was made by the state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, in a press statement issued on Monday. According to the commissioner, the persistent economic disruption informed the government’s decision to shut down Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders failed to comply with the directive to disregard the sit-at-home order.
Mefor said the market would remain closed from Monday, January 26, 2026, to Saturday, January 31, 2026, and warned members of the public to stay away from the area during the period to avoid unpleasant encounters with security personnel already deployed.
The statement partly read, “The Government of Anambra State hereby informs the general public that Onitsha Main Market will remain closed from today, Monday, January 26, 2026, to Saturday, January 31, 2026. The market will reopen for business on Monday, February 2, 2026.”
It further explained, “The closure is due to non-compliance with the government’s directive to end the Monday Sit-at-Home, which costs the state up to N8 billion as part of N19.6 billion in the South East every week, while disrupting work and economic activities, leaving the state haemorrhaging.”
Sit-at-Home Order: Anambra Issues Fresh Warning to Traders
The government also issued a stern warning to traders, stating, “Traders are further warned that if they are not ready to resume trading on Monday, February 2, 2026, and indeed every other Monday, the market will face a one-month closure next Monday. The general public is also advised to stay away from the Main Market during this period to avoid any unpleasant encounters with security personnel already deployed to the area.”
In addition, the statement noted that “all other markets in Anambra State remain open and are expected to operate on Mondays. Any market found closed on Mondays will face a similar closure.” The government assured residents of adequate security and urged them to report any security breaches to 5111.
The Monday sit-at-home order in the South-East was initially declared in August 2021 by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) following the arrest and detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. The directive was aimed at pressuring the Federal Government to secure his release, with residents instructed to stay indoors while businesses shut down every Monday.
Although IPOB later announced the suspension of the order, compliance has continued in many parts of the region, largely due to fear of attacks, intimidation and sporadic violence by criminal elements enforcing it.
Over the years, the prolonged observance of the sit-at-home has significantly disrupted commercial activities, education, transportation and public services across the South-East, drawing repeated condemnations from state governments, traditional rulers and business groups.
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