News
Invasion of Sacred Shrine: Anambra goes after fake Native Doctors
There’s palpable tension and fears within the ranks of native doctors and traditional medicine practitioners in Anambra State, particularly within Ojoto community, Headquarters of the Idemili South Council Area of the State as police apprehend non-registered and uncertified practitioners.
The problem, according to Chief Anthony Uzokwe, (Nnanyelofor) was due to the invasion of the community’s sacred shrines/groves, locations and centres by some persons parading as native doctors.
Unfortunately these characters were unknown to the native doctors, the law or the community. Chief Uzokwe is the chairman of native medicine practitioners in Ojoto.
He tendered their registration/certification by Idemili South LGA and the State Government, as well as their formal identity cards, confirming that all the practitioners in Ojoto were duly registered and officially accredited.
Shockingly, Chief Uzokwe stated, “..these uncertified persons jolted Ojoto residents who woke to observe they have invaded all our sacred groves, shrines, streams, centres performing some disturbing ritualistic acts and incantations.
“These, we gathered were in the process of spiritual cleansing of the community.
The yet to be identified spiritualists and actors had on Monday, Jan 6,2025 gone to strategic locations in the community to perform some rituals against the initial directive of Igwe Gerald Mbamalu.
The activities of these unknown spiritualists were however truncated midway as one of their leaders identified simply as Ejike Muokwe was arrested by police operatives from Zone 13 Ukpo.
Others including Emmanuel Okonta are now on the run, while others retreated the moment news filtered into the community that security operatives have moved in to effect their arrest.
Uzoke pointed out that the unknown elements had days earlier stormed the community with a terse message through a town-crier of their plans to embark on spiritual cleansing at strategic locations.
The development according to him was strange as Otu Omenana Ojoto, a body of government registered, accredited and certified native doctors were not informed of such an important event.
Uzokwe noted that, “we are the custodians of such matters, the sacred locations/shrines and calendar in Ojoto.
“There was no misunderstanding amongst us or disagreement or meeting where such issue was discussed or planned…”
The executives consequently rallied round, expressing deep worry and concern that seeming unknown elements were invading Ojoto to carry out an important general spiritual cleansing which we performed not long ago.
An executive officer of the practitioners, Chief Ifeanyichukwu Anadi (Ikenga) expressed concern that the issue has lingered for long, especially when we assembled publicly before all Ojoto citizens to take oath of clean, transparent and healthy practice. Most of the people doing this ran away and refused the public oath.
He urged Gov Chukwuma Solido to wade in the matter immediately to stop it from festering.
More so, that Mbamalu had through the instrumentality of the community’s security vigilante group restrained us from continuing with it. They had in clear terms told us that such were not allowed in Ojoto.
“They were therefore surprised to see these unknown elements descecrating our cherished places of traditional worship and reverence without notice.”
Efforts to speak with Igwe Mbamalu at the time of filing this report yielded no fruits as his telephone lines were switched off in the past 2 days.
When approached for comments, the Senior Police officer who led the operations from Zone 13, Ukpo said that it was too early. ” We are still investigating. The Media and the public would be briefed appropriately in due time.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Ikenga Tochukwu said he was yet to be briefed on the matter.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
Hegseth made the disclosure during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, where he said the directive was issued about a year ago after Trump became aware of attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
He explained that the operation involved behind-the-scenes coordination and deployment of military assets, adding that intelligence gathered during the mission contributed to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIS’s second-in-command, during a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians,’” Hegseth said.
According to him, the operation yielded significant results in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland,” he stated.
Hegseth added that working on the Intel gathered, they have killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria.
The U.S. defence chief described the operation as part of the Trump administration’s broader commitment to counterterrorism efforts and the protection of vulnerable communities.
“So there are a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the President empowers the Department to do on behalf of the American people that he deserves great credit for,” Hegseth stated.
ISIS second in command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed in a coordinated U.S.-Nigeria military operation in northeast Nigeria earlier this month.
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