The Anambra State Government has sealed several student hostels, churches, business premises and a market in Awka South Local Government Area for violating the state’s environmental sanitation laws.
The enforcement followed the declaration of Saturday, July 4, 2026, as Environmental Sanitation Day across the state, after the government announced a state of emergency on environmental sanitation over worsening environmental degradation, including the dumping of refuse into drainage channels and blockage of waterways.
Movement was restricted across the state from 6am to 11am to enable residents, communities and business owners participate in the exercise, except those on essential duties.
During the enforcement operation, officials of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra sealed several facilities, including Emmanuel Lodge, Mandona Lodge, Love Ambassadors Ministry, Lucky Up Shops, Eto Lodge, First Choice Lodge, Gift Lodge, Dominion City, Don Greg UNIZIK Park and Eke Nibo Market.
The enforcement team also ordered a comprehensive structural integrity test on a building at Emmanuel Lodge in Ifite, Awka South LGA, after discovering visible cracks said to pose possible danger to occupants.
Speaking during the exercise, the Commander of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra in Awka South LGA, Prince Ikechukwu Ndigwe, said the affected facilities were sealed after officials discovered serious sanitation breaches.
According to him, the exercise was carried out under Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s “Operation Keep Anambra Clean” initiative, which is aimed at promoting environmental sanitation, public health and safety across the state.
Ndigwe said some of the sealed facilities were allegedly discharging wastewater, including sewage from toilets, into public drainage channels, thereby creating health hazards for residents.
He said refuse was also found littering some premises, while drainage systems were blocked due to poor sanitation.
“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,” he said.
“In one of the student lodges, refuse was seen littering the premises while drainage systems remained blocked due to poor sanitation. The caretaker of the property will be prosecuted for allegedly channeling wastewater into public drains. Such an act is a criminal offence under the state’s environmental laws.”
Ndigwe added that one of the affected student lodges was already under a valid court order authorising its closure.
He warned that anyone who obstructs, assaults or harasses enforcement officers during lawful operations would be arrested and prosecuted.
He further disclosed that the management of the institution, including the Dean of Student Affairs and the Student Union leadership, had been informed and was expected to support the enforcement exercise.
Ndigwe also urged residents and students to report buildings showing signs of structural defects, especially visible cracks, saying a monitoring committee comprising representatives of the local government, enforcement agencies and student affairs authorities had been inaugurated about three months ago to receive reports of distressed buildings and environmental hazards.
Also speaking, the enforcement leader for the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, Nwachukwu Obiorah, said the cracks discovered on the building raised serious safety concerns and required a detailed structural integrity assessment.
He urged students and members of the public to promptly report distressed buildings to the appropriate authorities to prevent possible collapse and protect lives.
The inspection team said relevant material testing agencies would be engaged to determine the structural stability of the building before further action would be taken.
Meanwhile, the sanitation exercise recorded high compliance across the state, with the government expressing satisfaction with the level of turnout and participation by residents.
The Commissioner for Environment, Clem Aguiyi, who monitored the exercise, described the turnout as encouraging, saying the initiative would gradually gain wider acceptance among residents.
“It’s a gradual process. People are aware and participating. For a first-timer, I am highly impressed with the large turnout and also impressed with the people’s excitement,” he said.
Aguiyi said the exercise was aimed at ensuring that drainage channels were cleared and free ahead of the flooding season, adding that it formed part of ongoing efforts to combat gully erosion and flooding in the state.
He urged residents to adopt daily sanitation habits instead of limiting cleanliness to the monthly exercise, stressing that a clean environment was essential for public health and safety.
Also, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Soludo on Media, Ebuka Onyekwelu, said the exercise was part of the governor’s commitment to making Anambra a “clean, green, livable and prosperous homeland.”
He said the support shown by residents during the exercise demonstrated confidence in the Soludo administration’s environmental agenda.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing sanitation laws and ensuring a clean, healthy and safe environment across Anambra.
