Imo govt begins clampdown on non indigenous native doctors, shrines

From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri

Imo State government may have joined its Anambra counterpart in the fight against traditionalists hiding under the cloak of tradition to defraud inocent residents as its State Council of traditional rulers after an emergency meeting held at the council secretariat ordered for the immediate dismantling of shrines belonging to native doctors who are not from the State.

The Communique signed by its Chairman, His Royal Majesty, Eze Emmanuel Okeke , three Deputy Chairmen; His Royal Majesty, Eze Iheanacho Ndukwe (Okigwe zone), His Royal Majesty, Eze Thomas Obiefule (Orlu zone), His Royal Majesty, Eze Fredrick Nwachukwu (Owerri zone) and the twenty Seven Chairmen of Council of Traditional Rulers in the twenty Seven Local Government Areas of Imo State also advised indigenous native doctors to register with their various traditional rulers and Local Government chairmen before continuation of their practice.

The communique read in parts “The Imo State Traditional Rulers in their meeting of Wednesday, 26th February, 2025 reaffirmed their desire and determination to rid Imo State of criminal elements no matter the guise.

“That all stranger elements who are operating as traditionalists in the State,town ,vilages as their libations,incantations and sacrifices will not be accepted by the gods of the land since they are not indigenes.

“Consequently, all shrines ,alters arising therefrom should be dismantled with immediate effect and the practices stopped forthwith.

Also affected by the directives are Prayer Houses, House Fellowships, Shop and ware House Churches without National Base whose Faith/Doctrines it noted are “inimical to spiritual growth/upliftment of our people especially those involved in the use of human or animal blood to bath, wash or sprinkle on their congregation/ members as well as those that invoke the dead or deities and still portray themselves as Churches”.

Meanwhile, all Indigenous traditionalists (native doctors ) have been directed to come with their traditional rulers to confirm their profession /practice and also register with the council of Ndi Eze through the committee on culture and traditions after identifying with LGA chairman (Executive and traditional )”.

Also, the communique further stated that all Communities in Imo State are to have a database of all stranger elements in their domain and send copies to the Council through their Eze after registering in their LGA.

The Traditional Rulers Council further directed that scavengers should register with the LGA where they are operating and copies of their registration should be sent to the Committee on Culture and Traditions through the Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council of the local Government Area.
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