By Chuks Collins, Awka
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly condemned the Anambra State Government’s deployment of heavily armed soldiers and police operatives to the Onitsha Main Market following the enforcement of a one-week market closure ordered by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday and signed by IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group accused Governor Soludo of deliberately stoking insecurity through what it described as the “unwarranted militarisation” of the market environment.
IPOB alleged that security operatives deployed to the market opened live fire on peaceful protesters who were demonstrating against the government’s enforcement of its ban on the Monday sit-at-home directive, describing the action as a violation of human rights and democratic principles.
“The Indigenous People of Biafra strongly condemn the barbaric and unwarranted actions of Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, who has unleashed unruly military and police formations on innocent traders and protesters in Onitsha,” the statement read.
The group warned that such actions could worsen insecurity in the state and accused authorities of initiating violence only to later attribute it to IPOB or its security arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). IPOB called on human rights organisations and the international community to caution the Anambra State Government and security agencies against the use of live ammunition on unarmed civilians.
Powerful maintained that IPOB remained committed to peaceful agitation and dialogue, urging protesters to remain law-abiding despite what he described as provocation. He reiterated the group’s demand for a negotiated settlement and a referendum on self-determination, while warning that continued aggression against pro-Biafra supporters could have wider consequences.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Government said the deployment of security operatives followed the decision to shut down the Onitsha Main Market for one week due to traders’ continued compliance with the Monday sit-at-home order.
A large detachment of soldiers, anti-riot police and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives on Tuesday cordoned off the market and surrounding streets, with Armoured Personnel Carriers stationed at strategic points to prevent access. Security personnel were placed on 24-hour patrol to enforce the closure.
The State Commissioner for Information, Barrister Law Mefor, who visited the market to monitor compliance, said the market would remain closed from Monday, January 26, to Saturday, January 31, 2026, and reopen on Monday, February 2.
According to Mefor, the closure was necessitated by traders’ failure to comply with the government’s directive to end participation in the sit-at-home exercise, which he said costs Anambra State an estimated ₦8 billion every Monday and severely disrupts economic activities across the South-East.
He warned that if traders fail to resume full operations on Mondays after the reopening date, the market could face a longer shutdown of up to one month. The commissioner advised members of the public to stay away from the market during the closure period to avoid confrontations with security personnel.
Mefor added that all other markets in Anambra State remain open on Mondays and would face similar sanctions if found shut. He assured residents of adequate security and encouraged the public to report any security concerns via the state’s emergency line.
On Tuesday morning, some traders who attempted to access the market were turned back by soldiers and police officers patrolling the area on foot. When a small crowd, largely made up of youths and apprentices, attempted to stage a protest, security operatives ordered them to disperse, which they did without incident.
Efforts to reach the Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market Traders Association, Mr. Chijioke Okpalugo, were unsuccessful. However, a senior executive member of the association, who requested anonymity, disclosed that the market leadership was holding an emergency strategic meeting to deliberate on the situation, promising that an official position would be made public after the meeting.
