By SUNTV Global Channel | February 10, 2026
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly condemned the Anambra State Government over the sealing of shops and planned demolition of thousands of structures at the Onitsha Main Market, describing the action as reckless, authoritarian, and capable of worsening public tension.
SUNTV Global Channel reports that Governor Chukwuma Soludo recently issued a 14-day ultimatum to traders in the Onitsha Main Market to vacate their shops after over 10,000 business premises were reportedly marked for demolition.
The move followed Governor Soludo’s decision to shut the market for one week on Monday, January 26, during an unscheduled visit, after he observed that many traders continued to comply with the Monday sit-at-home despite the state government’s directive abolishing the practice.
During the visit, the governor described the persistent closure of shops every Monday as unacceptable, warning that his administration would no longer tolerate actions capable of disrupting economic activities or undermining public order in Anambra State. He subsequently directed traders to open their businesses from Monday to Saturday or relocate elsewhere.
Although traders partially complied by reopening their shops on Mondays, many were shocked to discover that thousands of shops had been marked for demolition, with owners given just 14 days to vacate.
Reacting to the development, IPOB, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said the sealing of shops amounted to collective punishment against traders who had committed no crime.
The group reiterated that its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has consistently called for an end to sit-at-home actions and has condemned the violent enforcement of such measures by any individual or group. IPOB stressed that any continued observance of sit-at-home is a voluntary expression of solidarity by members of the public, not a policy enforced by the organisation.
“The sit-at-home is not something that can be reversed overnight through threats, intimidation, or punitive government actions,” IPOB stated.
The group argued that Governor Soludo, being an economist, should understand that public behaviour shaped by fear, past trauma, and historical injustice cannot be changed instantly through force.
Describing the sealing of shops as unlawful, IPOB likened the action to an illegal eviction, insisting that even landlords are not permitted to lock out tenants for failing to occupy a property on a particular day.
IPOB warned that intimidation and economic punishment would not restore normalcy but could instead escalate tensions and deepen mistrust between the government and the people.
The group called on Governor Soludo to immediately reverse the action and unseal all affected shops, urging him to embrace leadership founded on patience, dialogue, justice, and respect for citizens’ rights.
IPOB also expressed disappointment that an Igbo governor would, in its view, adopt measures reminiscent of economic repression historically suffered by Igbos elsewhere in the country, stressing that the duty of leadership is to protect citizens, not traumatise them.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to peace, lawful engagement, and a negotiated political solution, while cautioning authorities against actions capable of provoking public unrest.
IPOB urged the Anambra State Government to exercise restraint and pursue policies that promote healing, unity, and strict adherence to the rule of law.
