Anambra State has taken a bold step to combat criminal activities linked to ritual killings and fraudulent spiritual practices with the enactment of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.
The new law, signed by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, aims to purge the state of criminal elements masquerading as native doctors and spiritualists, who have been accused of fueling a culture of get-rich-quick schemes through occult practices.
The law specifically targets “evil native doctors, fake native doctors, and false prophets”, all of whom are now considered persona non grata in the state. Authorities emphasize that this is not a ban on traditional religion but a necessary measure to curb the rise of dangerous practices that have led to ritual killings and criminal activities.
Reports indicate that certain ritualistic practices, including the use of the Oke-ite pot—a clay vessel allegedly infused with body parts, herbs, and other ritualistic elements—have been linked to human sacrifice and money-making rituals. Other associated practices, such as Uduakomili, Ibobo, and Awale, are also believed to contribute to the erosion of Anambra’s moral fabric by promoting fraudulent wealth acquisition.
In addition to these, Odeshi charms, which are said to provide bulletproof protection for criminals, have been widely used by kidnappers and armed robbers, further worsening insecurity in the state. These criminal activities have been blamed for luring Anambra’s youth into illicit means of acquiring wealth, undermining traditional Igbo values of hard work, diligence, and honesty.
Historically, Igbo society placed great emphasis on ethical business practices. The Igba-boi system, where young apprentices work under a master before earning the right to start their own businesses, has been internationally recognized, even by institutions like Harvard University, as a model for business incubation. However, recent years have seen a shift towards an unhealthy obsession with quick wealth, often without legitimate means.
Parents, once the custodians of discipline and integrity, are now accused of enabling their children’s criminal activities. Some even go as far as funding “Yahoo training schools”, where young people are taught online fraud under the pretense of reclaiming wealth from the West. This societal decay, according to critics, has resulted in a generation that prioritizes extravagant lifestyles over genuine hard work.
In response to the growing menace, Governor Soludo’s administration has launched Operation Udo-Ga-Achi, backed by a structured security network, Agunechemba, aimed at tackling crime at its roots. This initiative seeks to restore Anambra’s reputation as a land of industrious and morally upright individuals.
State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating criminal elements, stating that “the fight is for the soul of Anambra”. He urged citizens to support the enforcement of the Homeland Security Law, ensuring that traditional practices are not used as a cover for criminal activities.
As the battle against Oke-ite and its affiliated rituals intensifies, the government remains firm in its resolve to sanitize the state, ensuring that the next generation of Ndi Anambra upholds the values that once made the Igbo people a global model of hard work and integrity.
