News
Anambra Native Doctors in turmoil, as police go after quacks
From Chuks Collins, Awka
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.
Another member, Sunday Okonkwo bemoaned the unknown bunch, lamenting the seeming tacit support by the community leadership.
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.
News
Former Miss Nigeria dies in London
Ex-Miss Nigeria and former First Lady of Delta State, Mrs Edna Ibru (nee Park) is dead.
Edna Ibru, wife of Olorogun Felix Ibru, the first civilian Governor of Delta State between 1991 and 1992, died in her 80s on Wednesday, in a London hospital after a brief illness.
The deceased, who was Miss Nigeria 1964, and the first Nigerian/African to represent Nigeria at Miss Universe, had two children for Ibru.
The Ibru family of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom in Delta State confirmed the death of the former first lady in a statement issued by her son, Dr Paul Ibru, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday.
“Our amazing mother passed onto glory on Wednesday 15, January 2025 after a brief illness”, the statement partly read.
It continued, “Until her death, she was full of life and we never expected her to leave us so soon but we cannot question the will of God in her precious life.
“She was a lover of people, a mediator, a mother to many, outrageously humorous, deeply caring, down to earth, full of stories all of the time, and we will miss her very dearly.”
Paul added that arrangements for her burial would be announced by the family later.
News
Tinubu administration has no plan, no vision – Bauchi Governor
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has expressed disappointment with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that while he initially celebrated Tinubu’s victory, he has since observed a lack of clear vision and effective policies that are hindering national progress.
Mohammed, who was an opposition governor during the 2023 elections, admitted to having high hopes for the new administration due to Tinubu’s successful tenure as Lagos State Governor.
However, he now believes that freedom and development remain elusive under the current leadership.
Speaking at a courtesy visit by Apostle Johnson Suleiman, the founder of Omega Fire Ministry, in Bauchi, Mohammed emphasized that President Tinubu appears to have entered office without a concrete plan or manifesto.
He also criticized the president for surrounding himself with individuals who he described as “misfits,” and warned that the administration’s direction is likely to lead Nigeria down a path of destruction.
The Governor clarified that he holds no personal animosity toward Tinubu, but expressed concern over the impact of the current policies, particularly those that he believes could negatively affect Nigerians.
He urged the president to be more inclusive and develop a comprehensive, well-thought-out vision for the country.
Mohammed called for reforms that would be beneficial to all citizens, stressing the need for unity and respect for Nigeria’s diversity.
He cautioned against divisive policies and practices of impunity, urging for governance that prioritizes the welfare of the people and ensures their aspirations are not stifled.
News
Yahoo Boys shoot EFCC officer dead, injure another in Anambra
Armed internet fraudsters fatally shot an officer after opening fire on a team of anti-graft operatives in Anambra on Friday.
The officers were on a mission to corner a cluster of suspected cybercriminals, widely known as Yahoo Boys, when they were met with lethal violence on Friday morning.
One officer was shot dead on the spot and another sustained serious injuries and remained hospitalised in critical condition as of Friday night.
The officers had travelled to Anambra on the assignment from their zonal headquarters in Enugu.
A male suspect has been taken into custody for the murder, an official said. His identity was not immediately disclosed just as the motive of the attack is yet to be ascertained.
A spokesman for the EFCC said he would find out about the incident when contacted.
A police spokesman in Anambra did not immediately comment on the development.
The attack came as chairman Ola Olukoyede was recalibrating the agency’s protocol on raiding white-collar criminals. Yahoo Boys were hitherto largely known to be unarmed and, therefore, easily to take into custody.
The deceased officer was identified as an assistant superintendent who had recently completed a promotional examination.
It was learnt that the identity of the officer was kept secret to allow time for his family to be officially notified.
Anti-graft agents expressed apprehension over the development saying the agency’s personnel insurance had been moribund for years.
“We no longer have life insurance,” an officer said under anonymity to discuss internal administrative policies.
“The last time family members of an officer who died on duty were compensated was under Farida Waziri.”
“So the families of the officer that died today won’t be getting anything,” another officer added. “So can we say he died for nothing?”
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