Anambra insecurity fueled by fake medicine men - Dr. Ramas Asuzu, custodian of Igbo culture

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By Madu Obi

The custodian of Igbo culture and tradition, Dr. Ramas Asuzu, has attributed the growing insecurity in Anambra State to the activities of fake traditional medicine men who encourage kidnappers and gunmen with rituals to escape from the weight of the law.

Asuzu, who spoke with reporters at his Palace in Nri, Anaocha local government area of the state, welcomed the decision of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to prosecute fake medicine practitioners who have been fingered to be responsible for the incessant kidnapping and activities of gunmen in many communities in the state.

The state House of Assembly had, in a bid to combat crime, recently enacted the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025, which prohibits human parts rituals, with offenders facing imprisonment for 25 years without an option of fine.

The new law outlines other offenses and penalties aimed at curbing supernatural powers, religious place abuses, and human parts rituals.

Clause 18 of the law specifically provides that any person found guilty of using supernatural powers to commit offenses or accumulate wealth illegally shall be liable to imprisonment for six years or a fine of N20 million, or both.

It also states that any person who under the practice of 'Okeite' or 'Eze Nwanyi' or under any other guise, administers any substance or charm on or for any other person for the purpose of commission of any offense or for the purpose of accumulation of wealth by supernatural means other than by any known lawful means of livelihood, commits an offense.

Commending Soludo for the new law, Asuzu said: "The first thing to do is to inaugurate traditional medicine board consisting of reputable people. The board should have the powers to identify the evil people in traditional medicine practice. I support the governor’s ban on fake traditional medicine practitioners because he wants to sanitize the practice.

All the yahoo boys consult these fake traditional medicine people and they perform rituals for them, sometimes using human beings. Any medicine that is meant to make one become rich, most times, involve using human beings for ritual.

Most of the people practicing tradition medicine in Anambra State are fake. If they are not fake, there is no basis for them to be involved in human ritual and for yahoo boys and kidnappers to be patronizing them".

According to him, all traditional medicine practitioners in the state should be screened, and eligible ones should be given certificates.

"Crimes associated with traditional medicine practice is very rampant, which is why I support the governor’s action", he said.

He observed that native doctors have laws guiding their operations, advising that before one becomes a traditional medicine practitioner, he should swear that he would not aid thieves, or do evil medicines.

"I have been warning in the social media about people getting involved in the so-called “Okite” which they use to deceive people. Performing ritual is not part of Igbo traditional medicine practice", Asuzu stated.

He, however, argued that no government cannot abolish traditional medicine practice, even as he frowned at people using Igbo tradition to engage in criminal activities.