Soludo’s Crackdown on Criminal Native Doctors: Aimed at Protecting Genuine Traditional Practices
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, has clarified Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s recent stance on native doctors, emphasizing that the initiative targets fraudulent practitioners involved in criminal activities, not genuine traditional healers.
The clarification came after reports of unease among native doctors in the state, following the governor’s remarks during a recent event. Soludo had condemned the involvement of certain practitioners in aiding crimes like providing charms for kidnappers and armed criminals.
In a press statement, Mefor explained that the governor’s goal is to sanitize the practice and expose individuals using traditional medicine as a cover for illegal activities. He reassured genuine practitioners that the government appreciates their contributions to society and has no intention of undermining their work.
Targeting Fake Practitioners
“For clarity, Governor Soludo has not declared war on all native doctors but on fake and malicious ones engaging in criminal acts,” Mefor stated. He further elaborated that investigations across the South-East have revealed troubling practices among some native doctors, including preparing charms for criminals and engaging in rituals involving human sacrifices.
These activities, Mefor noted, have fueled the rise of harmful practices like “Ego Mbute” (quick wealth rituals), “Oke-Ite,” and “Yahoo Plus,” which promote idolatry and undermine the moral fabric of Igbo society. Soludo, driven by a sense of duty, aims to eradicate such practices while protecting authentic traditional medicine that serves humanity.
Preserving Cultural Integrity
The commissioner emphasized that the governor’s actions are not a blanket condemnation of traditional medicine but a targeted effort to address criminal elements within the field. He added, “We must distinguish between genuine traditional healers and those exploiting the trade for unlawful purposes. Traditional medicine has a rich cultural heritage and plays a vital role in society.”
Mefor urged Anambra residents to support the government in exposing criminal practitioners and promoting cultural values rooted in integrity, hard work, and morality.
Call for Collective Responsibility
He reiterated that maintaining security requires collective effort. “Security is everyone’s responsibility, not just the government’s. If you see something, hear something, say something,” the statement urged.
Governor Soludo’s approach underscores a commitment to upholding the integrity of traditional practices while addressing the criminal misuse of spiritual powers. This initiative seeks to safeguard Anambra’s cultural heritage and foster a society anchored in morality and respect for human life.
