Sit-at-home: South-east lost 20% annually as criminals held region hostage for five years — Soludo

Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo on Wednesday said the South-east region lost more than 20 per cent of its economy annually over the past five years as criminals held the area hostage through enforced sit-at-home orders.

Soludo made the remarks while speaking with State House correspondents after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The governor described the situation as an “unnecessary distraction”, adding that the actual economic cost to the region could have been even higher.

He disclosed that upon assuming office, his administration moved swiftly to dismantle at least 62 criminal camps allegedly used to launch attacks on innocent citizens, a development he said had restored peace in Anambra State.

Soludo attributed what he described as renewed investor confidence and economic activity in the state to the resilience and determination of the people.

Read Also: CBN reopens dollar tap for BDCs to curb naira gap

“Last Christmas, everybody was all over the state. It was as if we had a mass return. Heavy traffic all over the place — and that’s a celebration of the return of security of lives and property in the region,” he said.

Speaking on insecurity nationwide, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria commended President Tinubu’s determination to tackle security challenges across the country.

“For me in particular, that was a very impressive message, and I think all Nigerians were impressed with that determination,” he said.

He stressed that the security of lives and property is a cardinal responsibility of the government, but requires collective effort.

“No one arm of government — not even one community or individual — can deal with insecurity alone. It requires a systemic, collaborative approach to address it comprehensively, and I think we have all signed up to that,” he added.

On internal security measures in Anambra, Soludo said that beyond conventional security agencies, his administration has strengthened local vigilante groups and task forces, including anti-cult and anti-touting units, to combat criminality.

“Since I came into office, about 62 criminal camps have been dismantled in Anambra, and we are not resting for one second,” he said. “In Anambra, we pride ourselves on being the safest — if not the safest, then certainly one of the safest — states in the country. Security is key.”

“The important thing is that the 62 criminal camps have been decimated. They are not there anymore. Anywhere they try to regroup, we move in and deal with them decisively.”

Soludo said criminal elements had held the South-east hostage for more than five years through what he described as a destructive Monday sit-at-home directive.

“For more than five years, every Monday, there was a criminal, very debilitating sit-at-home. Schools, businesses — aside from the capital cities of the five South-east states — were mostly under lock and key. This could not continue,” he said.

“We decided that this year must mark the end. Enough is enough. I’m happy that so far we are taking back our region and taking back our state.”