Sit‑at‑home: Anambra govt shuts spare‑parts market for one week

The Anambra State Government has ordered the closure of the Nnewi Auto Spare Parts Market, Nkwo in the commercial city of Nnewi, for one week following traders’ failure to comply with the state government’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.Officials of the state government during the on-the-spot visit to the spare market in Nnewi…credit: Anambra govt

The order for the closure was handed down on Monday, during an on-site visit to the market, by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba.

Uba was in company with the state Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, AVM Ben Chiobi(Rtd) and the Chairman, Nnewi Local Government Area, Echezona Anazodo.

According to him, the order was handed down on behalf of the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, adding that the market may face further closure if compliance is not substantial by next Monday, when the market reopens.

He said that despite repeated warnings and assurances of enhanced security and appeals to reclaim public spaces, many traders at the busy market once again chose to keep their stalls locked.

He, therefore, advised traders and customers to avoid the market until next Monday to avoid issues with law enforcement agents.

He said, “The Anambra State Government hereby informs the general public that the New Auto Spare Parts Asocciation Market, Nkwo Nnewi, is closed for business.

“The market, whose date of closure is effective from midnight today, Monday, February 23, 2026, will reopen next Monday, March 2, 2026.

“The closure of the market followed low compliance with the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s order to end Monday sit-at-home in Anambra State.

“Traders and customers are advised to avoid the market until next Monday to avoid issues with law enforcement agents.

“The market may face further closure if compliance is not substantial by next Monday, when the market reopens.”

Meanwhile, normal activities have resumed in Anambra State on Mondays following the governor’s order late January, 2026.

Punch Online had on January 26, reported that the Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week following traders’ failure to comply with the state government’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.

The governor gave the directive on Monday during an on-site visit to the market, along with some of his aides and other government officials.