Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Friday clarified the reasons behind his administration’s crackdown on certain native doctors in the state.
Soludo emphasized that while he respects traditional religion, some individuals exploit it to commit crimes.
“They call it ‘oso Soludo,’ that is the run by criminal native doctors. We have made this very clear over and over again that we understand traditional religion,” he said.
He highlighted the distinction between legitimate traditional worship and criminal practices, adding, “We also understand the difference between the traditional religion and criminal idolatry. We support freedom of worship, freedom of religion.
“Anybody can worship the way you want, provided you realise that your own right ends where the other person’s own starts. Where your own practices and preaches now breed criminality, that is where we come in. Traditional religion is a purist religion.”
The governor noted that some native doctors were allegedly involved in preparing charms for kidnappers and armed robbers and were engaged in harmful rituals, which in extreme cases could include human sacrifices for money and protection.
He stressed that it is the state government’s responsibility to halt practices fueling crimes, including ‘Ego Mbute’, ‘Oke-Ite’, ‘Yahoo Plus’, and other forms of idolatry increasingly resurfacing in Igbo socio-cultural life.
Soludo clarified that these illegal acts are unrelated to authentic traditional medicine or spiritual practices that honor God and humanity, and he underscored the need to expose and deal decisively with offenders.
In recent enforcement actions, the Anambra state government arrested and prosecuted some native doctors.
Among them was a Nnewi-based practitioner, Johnpaul Ezenagu led by Ken Emeakayi-acclaimed native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu.
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