Gov. Soludo Cautions Native Doctors and Ezenwanyi in Anambra State

The Anambra State Governm ent yesterday restated its commitment to the war on ‘fake”
and “devilish” native doctors involved in criminalities such as preparing charms for
kidnappers and gunmen.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, during a function in the state recently, declared war on
native doctors due to the increasing criminalities in the state, and the declaration
generated panic among the native and traditional doctors across the state.
In a statement yesterday, the state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, said
clarification as regards the governor’s stance on native doctors became necessary so
as to douse the tension and panic it is generating across the state.
Mefor said those genuinely practising the trade have nothing to fear from Soludo’s
declaration while insisting that fake native doctors involved in criminal activities must be
exposed and brought to justice as a way of sanitising the practice.
He said, “F or the sake of the unsuspecting public, I want to address the recent
disinformation generated in some desperate quarters over Governor Chukwuma
Soludo’s stance on native doctors.
“To set the record straight, Soludo never declared war on all native doctors but rather
on fake and devilish native doctors involved in criminal activities.
“Concerned individuals and organisations have been investigating native doctors in the
South-East and uncovered shocking revelations that reflect what Soludo is saying.
“Some native doctors are involved in preparing charms for kidnappers and armed
robbers and are believed to be involved in evil practices that may not exclude human
sacrifices for money and protection.
“T hese diabolical rituals have given rise to ‘Ego Mbute’, ‘O ke-Ite’ and ‘Yahoo Plus’ as
well as idolatry, making a speedy return to Igbo socio-cultural life, Soludo, out of a
sense of responsibility and responsiveness, has moved to root such diabolical and evil
practices out, which have nothing to do with genuine traditional medicine or native
doctors who are truly serving G od and humanity.”
The commissioner said the governor has, therefore, emphasised the need to expose
and deal decisively with native doctors aiding criminality, those promoting some esoteric
practices alien to the Igbo culture of integrity, hard work, morality, and fear of God.
He added, “His stance is not a blanket condemnation of traditional medicine or all native
doctors, but a targeted effort to root out those using so-called spiritual powers for
criminal activities. T hey are misleading the youths and will turn the state into a soulless
society if not stopped.