Anambra Traditional Doctors Pledge Support for Soludo’s Clampdown on Criminal Elements

 

Governor Charles Soludo has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eradicating criminal activities in Anambra State, particularly those linked to illicit spiritual practices. According to the governor, the government’s crackdown on harmful traditional practices has sent "dangerous native doctors" fleeing, as "light and darkness cannot coexist."

In response, a coalition of traditional medicine practitioners in Anambra has expressed its support for the state’s ongoing efforts to regulate the sector. The group, led by its chairman, Innocent Okwundu, met with the leadership of the Anambra State House of Assembly on Thursday to discuss the implications of the newly enacted Anambra Homeland Security Law and the activities of the Agunechemba Security Outfit, both aimed at strengthening security in the state.

Speaking at the meeting in Awka, Okwundu emphasized the importance of ensuring that traditional medicine is practiced responsibly and ethically. He assured lawmakers that his group—comprising about 500 registered traditional doctors—was committed to collaborating with the government to rid the profession of individuals tarnishing its reputation through criminal acts.

Traditional Doctors Support Security Measures

Okwundu hailed the Anambra Homeland Security Law as a step in the right direction, noting that it would help curb the misuse of traditional medicine for criminal purposes, such as rituals and fraudulent activities. He stressed that his association was willing to work with the government to identify and expose individuals involved in illegal spiritual practices, particularly those connected to ‘Okeite’ (money rituals) and other harmful acts.

However, he also called for fairness in implementing the law, urging the government to prevent the intimidation and exploitation of genuine traditional healers, especially those operating in rural areas. According to him, while practitioners of authentic traditional medicine uphold ethical values, some unscrupulous individuals have given the profession a bad name, necessitating strict regulations.

“We are not against the government's sanitization efforts. In fact, we fully support it because we want our profession to remain credible. But we must also ensure that legitimate practitioners are not harassed or unfairly targeted,” Okwundu stated.

Legislators Assure Fair Regulation

In response, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, assured the delegation that the government’s security initiatives were designed to protect lives and property without infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens. Represented by Ikenna Ofodeme, Udeze disclosed that a new bill was in progress to address some of the concerns raised by the traditional doctors.

He further noted that the government was not out to suppress genuine practitioners but rather to create a structured framework that would separate legitimate traditional healers from those using the practice as a cover for illegal activities.

“Our aim is to foster cooperation between the government and traditional medicine practitioners. We want to establish a system that allows for proper registration and monitoring so that we can root out those engaging in harmful practices,” Udeze explained.

To facilitate this process, he announced that registration for traditional medicine practitioners in the state would be free, encouraging all genuine healers to come forward and comply with the new regulatory measures.

A Call for Ethical Traditional Medicine

The meeting underscored the growing recognition of traditional medicine as an important part of Anambra’s cultural and healthcare system. However, the consensus was that unethical practices within the field must be eliminated.

Governor Soludo’s administration has maintained that the fight against crime in the state requires a multi-faceted approach, including tackling the misuse of spiritual practices for fraudulent and violent purposes. The recent crackdowns have already led to the displacement of several alleged "dangerous native doctors", reinforcing the government’s determination to cleanse the sector.

With traditional healers now pledging their support, the Soludo administration’s efforts to establish a well-regulated, ethical, and crime-free traditional medicine practice in Anambra appear to be gaining momentum.