.…Traders Comply With Soludo’s Directive
…Our people can’t be coerced into abandoning Nnamdi Kanu – IPOB
Traders in Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State, reopened their shops, on Monday, in compliance with the directive of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
For some years now, traders across the South East region have stayed off their business places in solidarity with the leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
But in a move to tackle the trend, Soludo had last Monday ordered that the market be shut down for one week.
The governor also warned that if traders failed to open at the end of the one-week shutdown, the market would be closed for another week, and subsequently for longer periods.
However, a week after economic activities were grounded, the traders were seen trooping into the market.
During a visit to the market on Monday, it was observed that many traders resumed their businesses as early as 8:45am.
It was observed that from Egerton axis of the market to Ose food stuff market, down to the young park, one of the major entrances into the Main Market, traders displayed their wares.
From Emeka Offor Plaza to Sokoto road, and to Lagos line and Marine, many traders were seen attending to customers who trooped in, in large numbers.
Residents Differs over Govt Directive
While some residents welcome the government’s action, others who are in support of the incarcerated IPOB leader urged Soludo to rather channel his energy to facilitate the release of Kanu from prison.
Some traders who had already started selling in their shops, said they had earlier complied to the sit-at-home order for fear of being attacked.
Most of them who spoke on condition of anonymity, said if government can assure them of adequate security, they were ready to open their shops every Monday.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has said the “total compliance” with Monday’s sit-at-home order in parts of the South-East has demonstrated that the people will never be intimidated into abandoning the group’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The sit-at-home declared by IPOB in solidarity with traders of Onitsha Main Market, over the closure of their shops by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, recorded a high level of compliance in Anambra State.
Although the Onitsha Main Market was reopened by the government after the one-week closure, very few traders turned up.
Also, major roads in the state were deserted, and most offices and other businesses remained shut, particularly in the morning hours. It was also observed that many schools did not open.
Reacting to the development in a statement, IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, who said the sit-at-home recorded a “total compliance across Biafraland”, hailed residents of the South-East for demonstrating love for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Powerful asserted that the outcome of Monday’s sit-at-home has shown that the people have resolved to resist all forms of intimidation and coercion in their demand for Kanu’s release from detention.
“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) confirms total and overwhelming compliance with the sit-at-home directive issued across Biafraland. 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.
“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,” the statement read.
