Anambra seals hostels, churches, market over sanitation violations

The Anambra State Government has taken decisive action by sealing numerous student hostels, business premises, churches, and a market in the Awka South Local Government Area. The reason cited for these closures is the failure of these facilities to comply with the state's environmental sanitation regulations. This move comes after the state government declared a state of emergency on environmental sanitation, prompted by severe environmental degradation, particularly the widespread blockage of waterways caused by the dumping of refuse and other materials into drainage channels.

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This sanitation exercise is carried out under Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s ‘Operation Keep Anambra Clean’ initiative, which promotes environmental sanitation, public health and public safety across the state.

To address the crisis, Saturday, July 4, 2026, was designated as Environmental Sanitation Day across the state. During this period, a lockdown was imposed on all communities and businesses, with movement restricted between 6 am and 11 am, excluding essential service providers. Enforcement operatives, under the banner of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, carried out inspections and subsequently sealed several identified facilities.

Among the sealed locations were student accommodations like Emmanuel Lodge and Mandona Lodge, religious sites such as Love Ambassadors Ministry and Dominion City, and businesses including Lucky Up Shops and Eke Nibo Market. These facilities were found to be in violation of sanitation laws. In a particularly concerning discovery at Emmanuel Lodge in Ifite, Awka South LGA, officials ordered a comprehensive structural integrity test on a building exhibiting visible cracks that posed a potential danger to occupants.

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During the inspection, the affected facilities were sealed after it was discovered that they violated sanitation laws. Some of the affected facilities had been discharging wastewater, including sewage from toilets, into public drainage channels, creating health hazards for residents.

Prince Ikechukwu Ndigwe, Commander of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra in Awka South LGA, led the enforcement exercise. He explained that the sealed facilities were discharging wastewater, including sewage from toilets, directly into public drainage channels, creating significant health hazards for residents. He highlighted that in one student lodge, refuse was scattered across the premises, and drainage systems were blocked due to poor sanitation practices. The caretaker of this property faces prosecution for allegedly channeling wastewater into public drains, an act deemed a criminal offense under state environmental laws. Ndigwe also noted that the affected student lodge was already under a valid court order for closure.

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The caretaker of the property will be prosecuted for allegedly channeling wastewater into public drains. Such an act is a criminal offense under the state’s environmental laws.

Ndigwe issued a stern warning that any individual obstructing, assaulting, or harassing enforcement officers during lawful operations would face arrest and prosecution. He confirmed that the management of the institution, including the Dean of Student Affairs and the Student Union leadership, had been informed and were expected to cooperate with the enforcement efforts. The initiative is part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo's 'Operation Keep Anambra Clean,' aimed at promoting environmental sanitation, public health, and safety throughout the state.

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Anyone who obstructs, assaults or harasses enforcement officers during lawful operations would be arrested and prosecuted.