Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has raised fresh concerns over the growing influence of fake native doctors and prophets who are luring young people into dangerous rituals and criminal activities.
Speaking during a political event in Awka, the state capital, Soludo lamented how these so-called spiritual figures deceive youths into believing they can bypass airport security and smuggle drugs undetected using charms and talismans.
He revealed the devastating consequence of such falsehoods, disclosing that 23 young Anambra indigenes are currently on death row in Indonesia due to drug-related offences.
“These young people bought into lies. Today, they’re paying with their lives,” the governor said with deep concern.
Soludo also responded to a protest organized by followers of a detained pastor, who claimed the pastor was innocent and merely a content creator. But the governor stood firm, stating that arrests are not made without clear evidence.
“That same man has been promoting get-rich-quick schemes, convincing youths they can become wealthy through money rituals without any hard work,” he added.
He pointed out the irony in these claims, noting that one alleged native doctor has a son who works as a hotel waiter in Nnewi. “If those powers are real, why hasn’t he used them to better his own child’s life?” Soludo asked.
The governor emphasized that any native doctor or prophet caught making deceptive promises to young people will be arrested and dealt with according to the law.
He warned that the state will no longer tolerate the manipulation of youths through dangerous ideologies that promote laziness, crime, and spiritual scams.
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