By Staff Reporter
January 29, 2026
Anambra State may be drifting dangerously toward social disorder as the state government intensifies hardline measures in response to the prolonged Sit-at-Home crisis, the Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has warned.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, FENRAD condemned what it described as undemocratic, coercive, and punitive actions allegedly being pursued by the administration of Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, including threats of property demolition and the closure of primary and secondary schools across affected areas.
According to the frontline human rights organization, such actions not only undermine democratic principles but also risk deepening insecurity, heightening public resentment, and exporting instability beyond Anambra State to other parts of the South-East and Nigeria at large.
“A Dangerous Slide Toward Anarchy”
FENRAD expressed grave concern that the increasing reliance on force and collective punishment as a response to the Sit-at-Home order is pushing Anambra toward what it termed “social disorder and anarchy.”
“The use of coercive state power against civilians — particularly children, traders, and property owners — erodes public trust, weakens the rule of law, and fuels anger in an already volatile environment,” the organization noted.
The rights group emphasized that history and global experience consistently show that force-based responses to politically rooted crises often worsen grievances rather than resolve them, creating cycles of resistance and repression.
Education Under Threat
Of particular concern to FENRAD is the reported closure of primary and secondary schools as part of enforcement measures. The organization described this development as a direct violation of the right to education, which is guaranteed under Nigeria’s Constitution as well as international instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“Denying children access to education exposes them to heightened risks of abuse, child labor, exploitation, and long-term social exclusion,” FENRAD warned, adding that schools should never be turned into casualties of political or security crises.
Property Rights and Collective Punishment
The organization also condemned threats of demolition and other forms of collective punishment, cautioning that such actions may amount to arbitrary interference with property rights and could trigger further radicalization.
“Punishing entire communities for a crisis they did not create only deepens frustration and alienation. This approach risks turning law-abiding citizens into victims of state overreach,” the statement said.
Call for Dialogue, Not Force
FENRAD urged Governor Soludo and other governors in the South-East to immediately abandon coercive tactics and embrace inclusive, dialogue-driven strategies that address the root causes of the Sit-at-Home crisis.
The group stressed that sustainable peace cannot be achieved through fear or force, but through meaningful engagement with affected communities, civil society organizations, traditional rulers, and other key stakeholders.
Appeal to the International Community
In a broader call to action, FENRAD appealed to international human rights bodies, diplomatic missions, development partners, and global civil society organizations to pay close attention to developments in Anambra State.
The organization specifically called on the international community to:
- Closely monitor the human rights situation in Anambra State, particularly regarding education, property rights, and civic freedoms;
- Engage constructively with the Anambra State Government to ensure compliance with regional and international human rights obligations;
- Support peacebuilding initiatives and dialogue-based conflict resolution mechanisms; and
- Advocate for the immediate protection of schools, students, traders, and civilian populations from punitive or militarized policies.
Urgent Demands
FENRAD further urged the Anambra State Government to immediately halt all threats of demolition, ensure the safe reopening of schools and markets with adequate security safeguards, and commence transparent, good-faith dialogue aimed at resolving the crisis in line with democratic norms.
Commitment to Peace and Accountability
Signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, FENRAD reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful engagement, democratic governance, and the protection of fundamental human rights.
The organization stated that it remains ready to collaborate with national, regional, and international partners to promote peace, accountability, and the rule of law in Anambra State and across the wider South-East region.
As tensions continue to simmer, FENRAD warned that the choices made now by those in power will determine whether Anambra moves toward reconciliation and stability — or deeper division and unrest.
