Crackdown: Native doctors vow to expose Nigerian pastors visiting shrines for spiritual powers

The ongoing clampdown on native doctors in Anambra State has taken a dramatic turn, as traditional spiritualists have threatened to expose pastors who allegedly visit their shrines seeking supernatural powers.

This development follows widespread protests by native doctors who accuse the State government of unjustly targeting their community. They claim that their members are being unfairly stigmatised and harassed under the guise of regulatory enforcement.

The controversy erupted after the Anambra State government intensified its crackdown on traditional spiritualists, with officials citing concerns over fraudulent practices and criminal activities allegedly linked to some native doctors. However, the native doctors argue that the government’s actions are a calculated attempt to undermine traditional religion in Igboland.

Leading the charge against the government’s actions, High Priest Ikele decried what he described as religious discrimination, insisting that their constitutional right to freedom of religion was being trampled upon. He argued that instead of indiscriminately targeting native doctors, the government should engage them in efforts to identify fraudulent individuals within their ranks.

Amidst the growing tensions, a notable member of the native doctors' community, Mazi Chukwuka Nwankwo, announced that they have begun compiling a list of ‘fake pastors’ in the State. According to Nwankwo, several of these pastors frequently visit shrines, seeking spiritual reinforcement to attract and retain congregants.

“Our governor is preaching ecumenism, which means the union of all religions. We ask, is traditional religion not part of ecumenism?” Nwankwo questioned.

“What are we talking about here? Those people who hold night vigils and perform miracles are fake, and they come to us to obtain spiritual powers to increase the size of their congregations. We have always turned them down because it is against our religion to defraud innocent people.”

He further alleged that some pastors travel outside the state to acquire so-called ‘holy oils’ and other items used in miracle performances. He urged Governor Charles Soludo to send his special security outfit, Agunechemba, to monitor church crusades and night vigils, where he claimed people are financially exploited under the guise of receiving spiritual blessings.

“They rip off innocent people by compelling them to buy holy water, holy oil, and holy handkerchiefs, promising that their businesses will flourish. People pay huge sums of money for these items, yet they are not paying taxes or levies to the state government,” Nwankwo stated.

Amidst the escalating crisis, reports indicate that some pastors are making frantic efforts to reach security agencies, urging them not to visit their churches. However, no security operatives have confirmed receiving such requests.

At the same time, some native doctors have reportedly started visiting churches suspected of patronising shrines. These native doctors are said to be issuing warnings, threatening to expose pastors who sought their services but have now failed to defend them amidst the government’s crackdown.

“The Anambra State government should direct its focus to these new-generation churches because they are the worst kind of swindlers,” a native doctor warned. “They should also convince us, as well as the public, that they are not out to witch-hunt us, the native doctors.”