By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Following the recent signing of the Anambra Homeland Security Law by the State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, Landlords in Anambra State have started quitting native doctors from their properties in large numbers.

Soludo had earlier warned that any property used for illicit acts, including native doctoring of Oke-Ite, would be demolished.

However, the law, which is aimed at maintaining peace and order in the state, has created fear among native doctors, some of whom are being asked to quit by their landlords.

According to a landlord in Awka, who gave his name as Mr. Okoye, ?We can?t afford to lose our properties. If the government says they will demolish any property used for native doctoring like Okeite, we have to take them seriously.?

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Government has begun registering native doctors and herbalists to separate genuine practitioners from fake ones.

A government source who spoke on condition of anonymity said: ?We?re not against genuine native doctors, but we need to regulate their activities to ensure they?re not used as a cover for illicit acts.?

While some have expressed support for the government?s efforts, others have raised concerns about the potential impact on the livelihoods of those affected.

Traditional religion practitioners had earlier in the week protested the recent signing into law of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, which advocates restrictions on native doctors who fortify kidnappers and other criminals with charms.

The group also petitioned the state governor over his recent pronouncement aimed at checkmating practitioners of African Traditional Religion (ATR).

They expressed concerns that the law is unfairly targeting ATR practitioners and violating their constitutional rights and Nigeria?s secular nature.

The petition stated that Nigeria is a secular state, as explicitly declared by the Constitution.

They further harped on the importance of freedom of religion, guaranteed by Section 38 (1) of the Constitution.