Tension gripped Anambra StateAnambra State on Sunday as Governor Chukwuma Soludo ordered the reopening of the Onitsha Main Market, despite threats by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to enforce a sit-at-home across the South-East.

The market was shut for one week last Monday after traders were accused of complying with the sit-at-home order. At the time, Soludo warned that the closure could be extended or parts of the market demolished should traders continue to defy government directives.

The decision to reopen the market followed a series of engagements between the state government and market leaders. However, it coincides with IPOB’s declaration of Monday, February 2, 2026, as a sit-at-home in Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, to protest the continued detention of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement titled “Onitsha Main Market Re-opens on Monday, February 2,” the Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, confirmed that the governor’s closure order had expired.

“All traders are hereby directed to resume business as usual on Monday, February 2, 2026, as there is no longer any form of sit-at-home on Mondays in Anambra State,” the statement said.

Mefor assured residents of adequate security across the state and urged them to report suspicious activities or security concerns through the emergency number 5111. He also reiterated that the state’s pro-rata salary policy remains in force, warning that civil servants and teachers who fail to report to work on Mondays would not be paid. Parents were similarly cautioned to ensure their children attend school or risk sanctions.

Reinforcing the government’s position, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Policing, Chief Ken Emeakayi, assured traders of full security cover. In a statement issued by Agunechemba’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Nweke Nweke, Emeakayi said security measures had been reinforced to protect traders and shoppers across markets in the state.

“Agunechemba, in collaboration with the Police and other federal security agencies, is fully prepared to safeguard lives and property,” the statement said, adding that additional measures had been deployed to neutralise any threats on Mondays.

Meanwhile, IPOB, through its spokesman Emma Powerful, accused the Anambra State Government of collaborating with “Abuja interests” to undermine Igbo traders and the Biafran cause. The group described the planned sit-at-home as a “Biafra-wide solidarity strike” and urged residents to stay indoors.

Dismissing the threat, Agunechemba advised traders and residents to ignore intimidation by non-state actors. Emeakayi warned that those calling for business shutdowns often continue their own commercial activities unhindered.

“Anyone encouraging you to close your shop while they operate freely is not acting in your interest but threatening your livelihood and future,” he said.

He expressed confidence that traders would cooperate with security agencies to ensure peace and the full restoration of economic activities across Anambra State.