In a stark and troubling revelation, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has disclosed that 23 indigenes from the state currently find themselves on death row in Indonesia due to drug-related offences. This alarming news was shared during an address on April 9, 2025, to a group of All Progressives Congress members who recently defected to the All Progressives Grand Alliance in support of his re-election bid.
Governor Soludo highlighted a disturbing trend involving deceptive practices being propagated by so-called “native doctors.” These individuals prey on the vulnerabilities of young people, convincing them that they can evade security checks while smuggling drugs through the use of charms. “Go to Indonesia, 23 Ndi Anambra are on death row there for drug-related offences,” he stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
He went on to explain how these self-proclaimed native doctors manipulate the young and impressionable, promising them that charms could render scanners at airports ineffective. Unfortunately, many believe these falsehoods, leading to dire consequences. “These young people fall victim, and today, many of our people are languishing in jails across the world,” Soludo lamented.
The governor issued a stern warning to those perpetuating such deceptive claims, promising that anyone caught would face arrest. He shared a revealing anecdote about one of these native doctors, who, despite their supposed powers, has a son working as a waiter in Nnewi. “If it was that simple, why didn’t he make his son a millionaire?” Soludo queried, illustrating the absurdity of their promises.
Moreover, the governor emphasized the detrimental impact of these beliefs on the youth in the state. He noted, “You see young people who wake up in the morning and retire to beer parlours drinking, hoping to get rich later in life.” This mindset represents a concerning shift away from hard work and determination.
While Governor Soludo clarified that the state is not against traditional religion, he affirmed a strong stance against those promoting dangerous practices in the guise of spirituality. “We are not against traditional worshippers; what we oppose are those deceiving our people with harmful medicines and charms,” he stated.
He further differentiated between traditional practitioners, who once upheld ethical standards, and the current crop of criminal native doctors engaged in deceitful practices. “We will not allow this to continue,” Soludo asserted, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to a crackdown on the promoters of Oke Ite and other get-rich-quick schemes.
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