The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has directed traders at the Onitsha Main Market to resume business activities, openly countering the one-week closure order issued by the Charles Soludo–led Anambra State Government.
In a statement attributed to the group, IPOB dismissed the market shutdown as unjust and harmful to the economic survival of traders, insisting that residents should not suffer prolonged losses due to political or security-related directives. The group maintained that traders were free to return to their stalls and continue normal business operations.
The directive has heightened tension in Onitsha, as traders find themselves caught between the state government’s enforcement order and IPOB’s call to reopen the market. While some traders reportedly welcomed the directive as relief from economic hardship, others expressed fear over potential security risks and conflicting authorities.
Security concerns have also intensified, with observers warning that opposing directives could further complicate enforcement and public safety in the commercial city. The Onitsha Main Market remains one of the largest trading hubs in West Africa, making any disruption a matter of regional economic importance.
As of now, the Anambra State Government has not issued a fresh response to IPOB’s announcement, leaving traders and residents anxiously awaiting clarity on the next line of action.
