The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned the Anambra State Government over the reported sealing of shops at the Onitsha Main Market, allegedly targeting traders who failed to open their businesses on Mondays.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group described the action by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s administration as “troubling, reckless, and authoritarian,” warning that such measures could heighten tension and mistrust between the government and residents.
According to IPOB, its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has repeatedly called for an end to the sit-at-home and any violent enforcement associated with it. The group insisted that where sit-at-home persists, it remains a voluntary civil expression by individuals, not a coercive policy.
IPOB argued that sealing shops over traders’ failure to open on Mondays amounts to collective punishment and does not reflect good governance. The group further claimed that societal behaviour cannot be changed through threats or punitive state actions.
The statement urged Governor Soludo to immediately reverse the decision and unseal all affected shops, emphasising that leadership should be rooted in dialogue, patience, and respect for citizens’ rights.
IPOB also expressed disappointment that an Igbo governor would allegedly adopt tactics it said resemble economic intimidation experienced by traders in other parts of the country.
While reiterating its commitment to peace and lawful conduct, the group called on authorities to act with restraint and pursue solutions that promote unity and respect for the rule of law.
As of the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Government had not issued an official response to IPOB’s claims regarding the sealing of shops at the Onitsha Main Market.
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