Barely three weeks after the reopening of the Onitsha Main Market, the Anambra State Government has shut down another major commercial hub — the New Auto Spare Parts Association (NASPA) Market in Nnewi — over alleged compliance with the Monday sit-at-home directive linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Gatekeepers News reports that the closure, ordered at the instance of Governor Charles Soludo, was conveyed through his Special Adviser on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba. The government cited low trader turnout on Monday as the reason for the action.
Uba announced that the shutdown took effect from midnight on Monday, February 23, 2026, and the market will remain closed until Monday, March 2, 2026. He made the announcement alongside the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, AVM Ben Chiobi (Rtd); and the Mayor of Nnewi, Hon. Echezona Anazodo.
He warned traders to stay away from the market until the scheduled reopening date to avoid confrontation with law enforcement agents, adding that the market risks further closure if compliance is not “substantial” by next Monday.
Reacting to the development, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Dr. Ejiofor Opara, commended the governor’s decision, insisting that the Monday sit-at-home order had already been resolved.
“The Monday sit-at-home ended on 4th April 2022 when governor Soludo and all the stakeholders came together after a rally and agreed on putting the Monday sit-at-home to an end,” Opara said.
He argued that the recent directive allegedly issued by IPOB leader Mazi Kanu should not serve as justification for renewed compliance by traders and residents.
“Governor Soludo has been hellbent on efforts to end the criminality masquerading as the Monday sit-at-home, not just in Anambra State but across the entire South-East zone. Governor Soludo has matched his call for the end to sit-at-home with his word,” he stated.
Opara, who is also the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, quoted the governor as saying, “we don’t have Unknown Gunmen (UGM), but known persons who cloned the image of UGM and have been going about maiming, kidnapping for ransom and killing innocent citizens.”
According to him, when the Soludo administration assumed office, eight local government areas — including Ihiala, Nnewi South, Aguata, Orumba South and Ekwusigo — were under siege by organised criminal elements.
He stressed that reopening markets on Mondays is critical to protecting the state’s economy, maintaining law and order, and safeguarding lives and property.
Opara further disclosed that the governor addressed insecurity through a stakeholder security summit and an amnesty programme that provided training and empowerment opportunities for repentant criminals under the One Youth, Two Skills initiative, which he said has equipped hundreds of thousands of youths.
He also highlighted the establishment of the Solution Innovation District (SID), aimed at building what he described as the African Silicon Valley in Anambra State, with plans to equip about 70,000 youths with ICT skills in the first phase.
