Emma Elekwa
There was partial lockdown across major parts of Anambra state on Monday over fear and apprehension not unconnected to conflicting statements issued by Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)
Governor Soludo had issued a statement ordering reopening of Onitsha main market after its one-week closure following traders’ continuous observance of illegal Monday sit-at-home.
The governor had also threatened one month extension of the market closure over failure to resume business activities in the market.
A statement issued through Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, the governor also directed all categories of school in the state, to ensure immediate resumption of full academic activities on Mondays.
He directed all heads of schools, including public, private, mission or returned schools, to heed the directive in their own best interest, ordering immediate closure of any school that fails to resume on Monday.
IPOB’s statement
IPOB, on its part, had at the weekend issued conflicting statement, declaring what it termed “Biafra-wide solidarity strike, a complete lockdown of all economic activities across Igboland and wider Biafran territories, on Monday, February 2, 2026.”
According to its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the total shutdown across Biafraland was in unwavering support for Onitsha traders and demand for immediate release of its jailed leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu
“The shutdown is a direct, peaceful, and unified response to the tyrannical actions of Governor Charles Soludo, who has shut down the Onitsha Main Market for one week—and threatened further month-long closures, revocation of land ownership, demolition, and punitive repurposing—if traders continue their legitimate observance of Monday sit-at-home in solidarity with our unjustly imprisoned leader,” the statement reads.
Our correspondent who monitored the situation observed that Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia and other towns witnessed skeletal human and vehicular movements especially during early morning hours as major roads were deserted.
Markets, banks, parks and schools especially those in the hinter lands also witnessed skeletal services, as there were few customers and students as at 9am.
Commercial and academic activities however, picked up around 10am. At the Onitsha main market, both traders and customers moved into their shops to open their shops for businesses.
Fear of being killed
While some attributed defiance to governor’s directive to fear of being killed, others who obeyed the order said they don’t want to lose their sources of livelihood over non-compliance.
Although no casualty was recorded across the state as at the time of filling the reports, but a viral video captured a businessman whose vehicle was damaged by suspected miscreants earlier in the day lamenting over his loss.
Describing the development as unfortunate, the man who claimed to have arrived the market in obedience to Soludo’s directives wondered who would fix the vandalized bus.
“I decided to come to the market today as directed by the governor. See the consequences of my obedience. Who will repair this bus for me?” he decried.
Our correspondent also observed some shops in the main market marked for removal during the one-week closure for their alleged unapproved status.
Some traders who were victims decried the development, describing it as a case of “adding more salt to injury”.
“We were taken by surprise when we came into the market Sunday evening to see our shops marked for demolition.
“We are still crying over the losses we incurred during the one-week closure of the market and we’re seeing this? So, the reason for the closure is not even for compliance to sit-at-home?
Shops older than Governor
“Soludo should know that some of these shops he wants to demolish are older than him.
“I wonder what he wants to achieve by rendering us jobless,” said one of them who simply identified herself as Agatha.
Another trader, Uzo Okoye, appealed to the governor to suspend his planned demolition of over 10, 000 shops in the market.
He lamented that such move would be worse than the sit-at-home order.
Meanwhile, IPOB has issued a statement celebrating what it described as total and overwhelming compliance with the sit-at-home directive issued across Biafraland.
According to the group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, “This historic show of unity has once again demonstrated that the deep love, loyalty, and resolve of the Biafran people toward Mazi Nnamdi Kanu cannot be broken by threats, intimidation, or state-sponsored coercion.
Region-wide compliance
“From Omambala to Onitsha and across the South-East, the people have spoken with one voice.
“The land of Eri, Nri, Igbo-Ukwu, and Uzo-Igbo has reaffirmed its historic role as the conscience and backbone of the Igbo nation. Our people are born free—and will not submit to fear.
“This peaceful but firm compliance is a clear message: the Biafran people will not be forced to abandon their leader or betray their collective will.
“The love for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not a weakness to be envied or attacked—it is a strength that binds our people and fuels our lawful demand for justice and freedom.
“IPOB remains committed to order, discipline, and respect for institutions, but we will resist every attempt to intimidate, humiliate, or enslave our people.
“The continued illegal detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu only reinforces the legitimacy of this resistance.
“Biafraland has spoken, the world is watching. And the resolve of our people remains unshaken.”
