Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, on Friday explained why his administration clamped down on some native doctors in the state.
At a media chat in Akwa, the state capital, Soludo explained that though he was not against traditional religion, some criminals commit crimes under the guise of traditional worship.
“They call it ‘oso Soludo,’ that is the run by criminal native doctors. We have made this very clear over and over again that we understand traditional religion,” the governor said.
“We also understand the difference between the traditional religion and criminal idolatry. We support freedom of worship, freedom of religion. Anybody can worship the way you want, provided you realise that your own right ends where the other person’s own starts.
“Where your own practices and preaches now breed criminality, that is where we come in. Traditional religion is a purist religion,” he added.
The governor further stated that some native doctors were involved in preparing charms for kidnappers and armed robbers, and were engaged in evil practices that might not exclude human sacrifices for money and protection.
He said it was the duty of the state government to stop diabolical rituals that had given rise to evil practices such as ‘Ego Mbute,’ ‘Oke-Ite,’ ‘Yahoo Plus,’ and idolatry that were making a speedy return to Igbo socio-cultural life.
