Sit-at-Home crisis: FENRAD warns Anambra govt. drifting toward anarchy over school closures, demolition threats

Nkem Ukaegbu, Umuahia

Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has expressed grave concern over recent actions and directives of the Anambra State Government under Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, particularly threats of demolition of properties and the closure of schools arising from the Sit-at-Home crisis.

According to the Executive Director, FENRAD, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, they viewed these actions as undemocratic, disproportionate, and inconsistent with international human rights standards, warning that they are driving Anambra State toward social disorder and anarchy.

The reliance on coercive and punitive measures against civilian populations undermines the rule of law, erodes democratic governance, and risks escalating tensions in an already fragile security environment.

As a frontline human rights organization, FENRAD is particularly alarmed by the closure of secondary and primary schools, which constitutes a violation of the right to education as guaranteed under national law and international instruments, including 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, exploitation, and long-term social exclusion.

FENRAD further warned that threats of demolition and collective punishment may amount to arbitrary interference with property rights and could fuel resentment, radicalization, and further instability.

Experience from comparable contexts demonstrates that force-based responses to politically rooted crises often deepen grievances rather than resolve them.

FENRAD therefore called on Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo and other South-East Governors to urgently abandon coercive approaches and adopt inclusive, political, and dialogue-oriented strategies to address the Sit-at-Home crisis.

Sustainable peace can only be achieved through genuine engagement with affected communities, civil society organizations, traditional institutions, and other relevant stakeholders.

FENRAD further called on international human rights bodies, diplomatic missions, development partners, and global civil society organizations to monitor closely the evolving 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 international and regional human rights obligations; support peacebuilding initiatives and dialogue-based conflict resolution mechanisms; and advocate for the immediate protection of schools, students, and civilian populations from punitive or militarized policy responses.

FENRAD urged the Anambra State Government to immediately halt all threats of demolition, ensure the safe reopening of schools and markets with adequate safeguards, and initiate transparent, good-faith dialogue aimed at addressing the root causes of the crisis in line with democratic norms and human rights principles.

FENRAD reaffirmed its commitment, as a prominent frontline human rights advocacy organization, to peaceful engagement, democratic governance, and the protection of fundamental human rights, and stands ready to collaborate with national, regional, and international partners to promote peace, accountability, and the rule of law in Anambra State and the wider South-East region of Nigeria.