Tension In Awka As Security Operatives Enforce Eviction At Obi’s Wife’s Shop, Tenants Count Heavy Losses

TENSION has gripped parts of Awka, the Anambra State capital, following a forceful eviction carried out by security operatives at a commercial property along Secretariat Road.

The exercise, which reportedly followed a court order obtained by the Catholic Diocese of Awka, resulted in the destruction of goods worth millions of naira and left several tenants devastated.

The eviction stemmed from a recent Magistrate Court ruling that declared the Diocese as the rightful owner of the building. The property, initially developed by a now deceased Reverend Father, had been managed for years by his nephew whom tenants had recognized as their landlord.

Unaware of the ongoing legal dispute, the tenants said they were blindsided by Thursday morning’s operation. Without any prior notice, they were shocked to find their shops being broken into by uniformed operatives and court bailiffs, who flung their merchandise into the rain soaked streets.

Among those affected was human rights advocate and Convener of the Recover Nigeria Project, Comrade Osita Obi.

According to him, his wife was the registered tenant of one of the shops, and he was undergoing physiotherapy when he received the distress call. By the time he arrived, their shop’s goods estimated to be worth over ₦5 million—had already been damaged by the downpour.

Obi condemned the operation as heartless, stressing that many of the affected tenants had just renewed their rent or recently invested in renovations and perishables.

He insisted that while the court ruling is not in dispute, the manner of enforcement was both unlawful and inhumane.

“This isn’t about the ownership of the property,” he said. “It’s about the rights of tenants who received no prior notice of eviction. Even 48 hours would have made a huge difference.”

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as heavily armed officers barricaded the area, cut through padlocks, and dragged goods into the open during heavy rain. Some shop owners reportedly collapsed on arrival, overwhelmed by the destruction.

The situation has sparked outrage among local traders and rights groups, who decried the excessive use of force in executing the court’s decision.

Obi, vowing not to let the incident go unchallenged, said he has petitioned the Nigeria Police Area Command in Awka, which has since invited him for a meeting.

He also called on Governor Charles Soludo and the Anambra Judiciary to investigate the eviction process, which he believes was mishandled and violated tenants’ rights.

He urged all affected tenants to stay calm and pursue justice through legal means, warning that unchecked incidents like this could set a dangerous precedent for property rights and tenancy in Anambra State.