The Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, also known as Eze Iweka III, of Obosi has invoked divine and traditional curses on an Ukpor-born land developer and a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly over the alleged forceful takeover of ancestral land in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State.
The Monarch accused the two individuals of orchestrating the demolition of shops and goods worth millions of naira belonging to more than 150 traders at Afia Uwa Mgbede Market without prior notice or a court order.
Speaking to journalists at his Palace in Obosi, Igwe Iweka said the market sits on ancestral land belonging to the Iweka family, which he claimed has been in their possession for over 200 years.
According to the Monarch, the dispute began when a member of the State assembly allegedly appeared in the community claiming ownership of the land on behalf of a developer who is not from Obosi.
He alleged that the market was later sealed and, about ten days ago, heavily armed security operatives arrived with two bulldozers and began demolishing shops and traders’ goods.
The traditional ruler further claimed that the demolition team included naval personnel and operatives of Udogachi security outfit.
Igwe Iweka said he immediately contacted Chukwuma Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, over the presence of the Udogachi operatives, but the Governor reportedly said he was unaware of the operation.
He also said he contacted the Police authorities, including the Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 13 and the Commissioner of Police, who also denied knowledge of the demolition.
The Monarch questioned why naval personnel would supervise the demolition of what he described as a private property without a court order.
He also alleged that about ten days after the demolition, individuals returned to the site, pasted what he described as a “suspicious” court document, took photographs of it, and quickly removed it.
Angered by the development, the Monarch invoked the wrath of the gods of Obosi land against those responsible for the demolition, declaring that they would be held accountable for what he described as an unjust act against the community.
He accused the developer of using wealth and influence to oppress poor traders, many of whom are widows and elderly women who depend on the market for their livelihood.
Some of the affected traders also spoke to journalists, confirming that the incident left them devastated.
The traders said the market had first been sealed on February 8, 2026, without any explanation. According to them, the demolition eventually took place on March 3, 2026, without any court order or eviction notice.
They appealed to Governor Soludo, the Anambra State House of Assembly, the Idemili North Local Government authorities, and the traditional ruler to intervene and help them recover their shops and goods.
The traders said the destruction of the market has left many of them without any means of livelihood and called on the government to rescue them from what they described as oppression by land grabbers.
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