Governor Charles Soludo has raised serious concerns about the growing influence of fake native doctors and self-styled prophets in Anambra State, especially their impact on the youth.
He warned that these individuals are misleading young people with dangerous promises, including the ability to evade airport security using charms.
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The governor spoke on Sunday during a political gathering in Awka, highlighting the tragic consequences of such beliefs.
According to Soludo, “These young people would believe them, and today, many of our people are languishing in jail across the world.”
He revealed that 23 Anambra indigenes are currently on death row in Indonesia for drug-related crimes, a situation he partly blamed on the deceptive assurances given by fraudulent spiritual figures.
Soludo also addressed a recent protest by followers of a detained pastor linked to such practices.
While the protesters claimed the pastor was innocent and only a content creator, the governor insisted there was credible evidence behind the arrest.
He further challenged the effectiveness of these so-called spiritual powers, questioning why many of their own families remain impoverished if their powers truly worked.
“Some of the self-proclaimed native doctors and prophets cannot even use their so-called powers to improve their own lives…”
Soludo stated, adding that the spread of ritual scam culture has led many youths to abandon hard work in pursuit of unrealistic wealth fantasies.
He condemned the mindset that glorifies wealth without labour, saying it is harming the development of the next generation.
Soludo warned that any native doctor caught making deceptive claims would be dealt with by security forces, stressing the need to curb the spread of this dangerous narrative among Anambra youth.
