The Anambra State Government has ordered the immediate closure of the Nnewi Auto Spare Parts Market, Nkwo, in the commercial city of Nnewi for one week over traders’ failure to comply with its directive suspending the Monday sit-at-home order.
The directive was issued on Monday during an on-the-spot assessment of the market by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba. He was accompanied by the Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor; the Special Adviser on Security, AVM Ben Chiobi (retd.); and the Chairman of Nnewi Local Government Area, Echezona Anazodo.
Uba said the action was taken on behalf of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, stressing that the market could face a further shutdown if traders fail to demonstrate substantial compliance when it reopens next Monday.
According to him, despite repeated warnings, assurances of improved security, and appeals by the state government to reclaim public spaces, many traders in the market once again kept their shops locked on Monday.
“The Anambra State Government hereby informs the general public that the New Auto Spare Parts Association Market, Nkwo Nnewi, is closed for business,” he said.
The closure takes effect from midnight on Monday, February 23, 2026, and the market is scheduled to reopen on Monday, March 2, 2026.
Uba urged traders and customers to stay away from the market during the period to avoid confrontation with law enforcement agents, warning that continued non-compliance could attract stricter measures.
Meanwhile, economic and social activities have largely resumed across Anambra on Mondays following the governor’s late January directive ending observance of the sit-at-home order.
The development comes weeks after the state government similarly shut down the Onitsha Main Market for one week over traders’ non-compliance with the same directive.
