Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, has sounded the alarm over the growing influence of fake spiritual figures in the state, particularly their deceptive practices targeting young people.
The governor expressed concern that some self-styled native doctors and prophets have been misleading youths into believing that charms and rituals can protect them from law enforcement while engaging in illegal activities, including drug trafficking.
He noted that these dubious individuals claim to possess powers that can make airport security systems ineffective, encouraging young people to smuggle drugs with the false assurance of safety.
“Our youths are falling for these lies, and unfortunately, many of them are now serving prison sentences in various countries,” he lamented.
Governor Soludo revealed that no fewer than 23 young people from Anambra are currently on death row in Indonesia for drug-related offences, citing the case as a tragic outcome of such deceit.
The governor made these remarks during a political event in Awka, where he also addressed a recent protest by supporters of a pastor arrested by local security operatives.
While the demonstrators insisted on the pastor’s innocence, Soludo maintained that arrests are not made without credible evidence.
“We do not detain anyone without being sure of the facts. Every case is backed by solid proof,” he said.
He also questioned the authenticity of many of these spiritual leaders, saying their supposed powers have not even improved their own circumstances.
“One of them has a son working as a hotel waiter in Nnewi. If his powers were real, wouldn’t he have used them to make his son wealthy?” he asked.
Governor Soludo added that some of the suspects hide under the guise of content creation to promote dangerous ideologies, such as wealth through rituals.
He condemned the mindset that encourages young people to idle away in beer parlours while expecting sudden riches through spiritual shortcuts.
He warned that anyone caught spreading such misleading claims or engaging in ritual scams would face the full weight of the law, stressing that the government will continue to take firm action to protect the youth and safeguard their future.