Crackdown on Controversial Native Doctors and the Protection of Igbo Religious Integrity

Abstract

This study investigates Governor Charles Soludo’s action against controversial native doctors in Anambra State, Nigeria, in response to the surge of ritual crimes, kidnappings, and killings linked to fraudulent practices. The problem is rooted in impostors who exploit Igbo spiritual traditions for crime, weakening religious integrity and threatening public safety. A gap remains in scholarship on the socio-religious impact of such crimes and the role of these impostors. The study applies Social Disorganization Theory within a qualitative design. Data are drawn from extant literature, news media, and personal communications, enriched by the author’s experience as a clergy in Anambra. Analysis is conducted through phenomenological and thematic content approaches to capture lived experiences and community perceptions. Findings show that ritual killings and kidnappings are driven by quick wealth motives and sustained by fake practitioners. The study recommends stronger governance, community vigilance, and sensitisation as measures to restore order and authenticity.