Date: March 21, 2026 l By Dalena Reporters
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has declared that the long-standing “sit-at-home” disruption in the South-East is effectively over, following an aggressive security crackdown that dismantled more than 60 criminal camps across the state.
The governor’s bold declaration signals what his administration describes as a major turning point in restoring peace, economic activity, and public confidence in one of Nigeria’s key commercial hubs.
End of a Disruptive Era
Speaking on recent security achievements, Soludo asserted that the enforcement of the controversial Monday sit-at-home order—once widely observed across the South-East—has been decisively weakened.
The order, initially linked to agitation for the release of detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu, had over time evolved into a tool of fear, with armed groups enforcing compliance through violence and intimidation.
Soludo described the practice as deeply destructive, noting that it crippled businesses, shut down schools, and disrupted everyday life for years. He emphasized that his administration took a firm stance to end what he viewed as economic sabotage.
Over 60 Criminal Camps Dismantled
Central to the governor’s claim is the dismantling of over 60 criminal camps believed to be responsible for enforcing the sit-at-home directive and carrying out violent attacks across the state.
According to Soludo, these camps served as operational bases for criminal elements who terrorized communities, undermined security, and held the region hostage for years.
He stressed that the crackdown was relentless and ongoing, with security forces and local vigilante groups working in coordination to eliminate threats wherever they emerge.
The governor, however, declined to provide detailed information on the fate of those arrested or neutralized during the operations, maintaining that the priority remains ensuring that such camps no longer exist.
Economic Revival Takes Center Stage
With the decline of sit-at-home compliance, economic activities are rapidly rebounding across Anambra. Major commercial centers, particularly the Onitsha Main Market—one of the largest in West Africa—have witnessed a full return of traders and customers.
Soludo highlighted that thousands of businesses that once shut down every Monday are now fully operational, marking a significant recovery in regional commerce.
Experts note that the sit-at-home policy had previously cost the South-East enormous economic losses, with each Monday representing a significant portion of the working week lost to inactivity.
Security Strategy and Government Resolve
The governor credited the success to a multi-layered security approach, including the establishment of local vigilante networks and specialized task forces targeting cultism and organized crime.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that Anambra remains one of the safest states in Nigeria, warning that any attempt by criminal groups to regroup will be met with decisive action.
Soludo’s message was clear: the era of fear and forced compliance is ending, and the state is reclaiming control from non-state actors.
A Region Reclaiming Stability
The declaration marks a significant moment in the broader struggle for stability in Nigeria’s South-East, where insecurity has persisted despite repeated interventions.
Residents and business owners, many of whom suffered years of disruption, are now cautiously optimistic about a sustained return to normalcy.
However, analysts warn that maintaining these gains will require continuous vigilance, transparency, and sustained government commitment to addressing the root causes of unrest.
Conclusion
Governor Soludo’s announcement that the sit-at-home order is over—backed by the dismantling of dozens of criminal camps—represents a bold claim of progress in Anambra’s fight against insecurity.
While the full impact of these measures will unfold over time, the development offers a renewed sense of hope that the region can finally move beyond years of fear, economic stagnation, and instability.
Reporting by Dalena Reporters