Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has issued a stern warning to native doctors, demanding they stop polluting public water sources with ritualistic practices.
Speaking to members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Awka on Thursday, Soludo called on residents to support the government’s efforts to combat crime in the state.
Addressing the specific issue of water contamination, he stated, “Stop polluting our rivers and streams with ritual practices under the guise of ‘Odinani’ (tradition). Many people depend on these water sources for drinking, cooking, and other daily needs.”
Soludo offered a solution, advising those performing rituals to use containers, such as buckets, for their ceremonies, rather than contaminating public water sources. “If you must carry out rituals, do so in a contained space, away from our rivers and streams. Polluted water is harmful and can lead to sickness, and we cannot allow this to continue in our communities.”
This warning comes amid ongoing operations targeting fraudulent native doctors, which have faced criticism from some who see these actions as an attack on traditional religious practices.
However, Soludo clarified that his actions are directed at fraudulent individuals, not those practicing legitimate traditional worship. “We are focused on eliminating deception and crime, not attacking tradition,” he emphasized. “We need to focus on teaching our children the values of hard work, discipline, and determination.”
The governor expressed deep concern about the rise of deceitful native doctors who exploit young people with false promises of quick wealth. He shared, “These native doctors deceive young people by claiming they can make invisible charms that bypass airport scanners to smuggle drugs. Many of these young people believe them and are now serving time in jails around the world.”
He further criticized the falsehoods of such claims, adding, “No native doctor can make anyone wealthy without hard work. In Indonesia, many on death row for drug trafficking are from Anambra.”
Soludo’s comments serve as a strong stance against the exploitation of vulnerable individuals under the guise of traditional practices, while reaffirming his commitment to the well-being and future of Anambra State.
