The Anambra State Government has revealed that the state is losing about eight billion naira every week due to the continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home, while the entire South-East region loses an estimated nineteen point six billion naira weekly.
This disclosure was made by the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, in a press statement issued on Monday.
According to the commissioner, the heavy economic losses have forced the state government to shut the Onitsha Main Market for one week following the refusal of traders to comply with the government directive to ignore the Monday sit-at-home order.
Mefor announced that the market will remain closed from Monday, January 26, 2026, to Saturday, January 31, 2026. He warned members of the public to stay away from the market during the period to avoid any unpleasant encounters with security personnel already deployed to the area.
He said the market is expected to reopen for business on Monday, February 2, 2026.
In the statement, the government explained that the closure was a direct response to the continued defiance of its order by traders, despite repeated warnings and assurances of security.
“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,” the statement read.
The commissioner noted that the sit-at-home order costs Anambra State up to eight billion naira every week as part of the estimated nineteen point six billion naira lost across the South-East region.
He said the situation has continued to disrupt work and economic activities, leaving the state bleeding financially and struggling to sustain development efforts.
Mefor further warned traders that tougher measures would follow if compliance does not improve.
“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 statement added.
He also reiterated that all other markets in Anambra State remain open and are expected to operate normally on Mondays.
According to him, any market found closed on Mondays will face similar sanctions.
The commissioner assured residents and traders of maximum security, urging them to go about their lawful businesses without fear. He encouraged the public to report any security breaches through the state emergency number, 5111.
Bankibusiness.com reports that the Monday sit-at-home in the South-East was first declared in August 2021 by the Indigenous People of Biafra following the arrest and detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The directive was introduced as a pressure tactic against the Federal Government, with residents instructed to remain indoors and businesses ordered to shut down every Monday.
Although IPOB later announced the suspension of the sit-at-home order, compliance has continued in many parts of the region. This has largely been driven by fear of attacks, intimidation, and sporadic violence by criminal elements enforcing the order.
Over the years, the continued observance has severely disrupted commercial activities, education, transportation, and public services across the South-East.
The situation has drawn repeated condemnation from state governments, traditional rulers, business associations, and civil society groups, all of whom have warned that the economic damage could have long lasting effects on the region’s growth and stability.