Commercial activities in Onitsha Main Market improved on Monday, February 9, 2026, following the Indigenous People of Biafra’s (IPOB) directive terminating the weekly Monday sit-at-home across the South-East.
About 70 percent of traders returned to their shops, reopening businesses that had remained shut last week.
However, customer turnout, especially from outside Anambra State, remained minimal, with many major roads linking Onitsha to neighbouring states still quiet.
Some traders reportedly stayed away from the markets themselves, sending apprentices—known locally as Umu Boi—to conduct business on their behalf.
Those present cited lingering fear over attacks by hoodlums who had previously enforced the sit-at-home order in Onitsha’s major markets, including Onitsha Main Market, Ochanja Central Market, Bridge Head Market, Ogwu Medicine Market, Building Material Market Ogidi, New Motor Spare Parts Market, and Ngbuka Obosi Motor Spare Parts Market.
IPOB had on Sunday directive, personally issued by its leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, calling for the resumption of normal human activities, appeared to have encouraged traders to return. Markets surrounding Onitsha Main Market, including Sokoto Road Market, Biafra Market, Marine Market, Ose Okwodu Market, and Bida Road, also reopened but witnessed scant customer patronage.
Justin Igwe, a trader in Marine Market, told Vanguard: “I didn’t go to the market because we are still afraid, but my boys went. Customers from within and outside the state are not coming. There were rumours last week that hoodlums were planning attacks, so we are cautious.”
Early Monday morning, vehicular movement was limited as commercial buses and tricycles, typically used to ferry traders, were largely absent until around 10:30 a.m., forcing some traders to return home disappointed. Those who remained patient were eventually able to reach the markets once transportation resumed.
Okwudili Okoye, a trader at Onitsha Main Market, said: “Traders opened their shops, but we have no customers, especially from outside the state. We are hopeful, but without patronage, many people will still stay home. We need ways to encourage customers to return on Mondays.”
The situation was reported to be similar across all major markets and suburbs in Onitsha, highlighting the lingering skepticism among both traders and customers despite the formal termination of the weekly sit-at-home directive.
