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| Many chanted solidarity songs for Kanu, with placards reading “Show us the law, Soludo,” arguing the punishment unfairly targeted livelihoods. |
— ANAMBRA, Nigeria
Tensions escalated at the Onitsha Main Market in Nigeria's Anambra State on Tuesday as thousands of traders staged a massive protest against Governor Chukwuma Soludo's one-week closure order. The demonstration saw crowds marching through major streets, chanting slogans and holding placards against the directive. Security operatives barricaded market entrances, leading to confrontations as traders attempted to access their shops in the sprawling commercial hub, one of the largest in West Africa.
The governor's order followed an inspection on Monday and targeted the traders' adherence to the longstanding “Monday sit-at-home” practice. This unofficial directive, observed in parts of the Southeast for years, is linked to calls for the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu. Governor Soludo has condemned the sit-at-home as “economic sabotage,” warning of revenue losses and promising similar closures for any non-compliant markets.
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| Pro-Biafra activist, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu |
Defying the shutdown, traders stormed the premises, vowing to continue their protest. Many chanted solidarity songs for detained separatist leader— Kanu, with placards reading “Show us the law, Soludo,” arguing the punishment unfairly targeted livelihoods. The protest caused significant disruptions, spilling onto key routes like the Niger Head Bridge and paralyzing traffic in parts of Onitsha.
Heavy security presence was maintained, with reports of clashes between traders and officers, though no major casualties were initially confirmed. IPOB condemned the governor's action as “unacceptable,” urging traders to ignore the closure. Legal representatives for Kanu criticized the military deployment against protesters as unconstitutional.