Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, has expressed deep concern over the rising activities of fraudulent native doctors and self-acclaimed prophets who, he says, are deceiving young people in the state with false promises of wealth and protection.
During a recent event in Awka, the state capital, the governor warned that these individuals are endangering the lives of youths by convincing them that charms and rituals can shield them from law enforcement, particularly when involved in crimes like drug trafficking.
He noted that these con artists often claim they can make airport scanners ineffective, tricking young people into smuggling illicit substances under the illusion of spiritual protection.
“It’s heartbreaking that many of our young men believed these lies, and today they are behind bars in foreign countries,” the governor stated.
Soludo disclosed that at least 23 citizens of Anambra State are currently facing death sentences in Indonesia for drug-related crimes, describing the situation as a painful consequence of widespread misinformation.
He also reacted to a protest by supporters of a pastor recently detained by the state’s local security agency, Agunechemba.
While the demonstrators maintained the pastor’s innocence and denied any link to criminal activities, Soludo insisted that no arrest is made without substantial evidence.
“We operate on facts. We don’t just go after anyone without having a solid case,” he affirmed.
The governor went further to question the legitimacy of many so-called spiritual figures, pointing out that some of them have not used their supposed powers to improve their own lives.
“There’s a case of one whose son is working as a waiter in Nnewi. If he truly had spiritual power, wouldn’t he have changed his own family’s fortune?” he asked.
He criticized the narrative being sold to young people—that one can get rich through rituals or shortcuts without hard work.
Soludo lamented that this belief has led many youths to abandon meaningful pursuits, spending their days idling in drinking spots with unrealistic expectations of sudden wealth.
Governor Soludo warned that anyone caught promoting such false and harmful ideologies under the guise of spiritualism or content creation will be arrested and prosecuted.
He emphasized that his administration remains committed to protecting young people from exploitation and guiding them toward a future built on hard work and integrity.