The spate of kidnappings and robberies in Anambra State is becoming abnormally high despite the best efforts of the Anambra State Government and security agencies to stem the tide. But one thing which seems to be fuelling the sad state of affairs are the activities of so-called native doctors who ”fortify” the criminals with what they believe to be protective charms.
Indeed, many times when criminals are caught, they are seen with all manner of charms worn round their bodies which are supposed to make them invincible but which always prove to be useless whenever they confront or are confronted by security agents.
Many of the arrested criminals have also confessed to how they met native doctors to fortify them; while some confess to be actively working with the native doctors. That is why at the many camps where the criminals hide, shrines are often found there.
Indeed, the phenomenon of native doctors is at an all-time high across the various communities in the state, with many young men taking to it. It must be stated clearly that there are those who can be referred to as genuine native doctors. The people in this category are usually older men who work with local herbs and use same to heal people and who perform some traditional rites. These are usually harmless people who abhor certain practices.
But today, with the numbers of the genuine native doctors in decline, many young men have taken over the business, with the sole intention of making as much money as they can and they are also usually unscrupulous and do not mind what they do so long as they get the money. Thus, such people are usually found flocking around yahoo boys and yahoo-plus boys. They also flaunt their material acquisitions and are the toast of many young men. It is these people that pollute society and misdirect many youths.
The harm they are doing to society cannot be quantified, with many young men seeing them as role models and thus aspiring to be like them.
Given the nefarious activities of these people and the unholy influence they have on the youths, we again call on the Anambra State Government to emplace measures aimed at checking their activities and eliminating the bad eggs among them.
The basic measure should be the setting up of a body that will be saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the registration of native doctors in the various communities along with the town union leaderships. Every town knows the background of their native doctors and are thus, better placed to check their activities. Any native doctor who has no approval from the appropriate body in their communities should be arrested and prosecuted.
The various communities should ensure that no native doctor in their abodes works for or with criminals and anyone found to act in breach of the directives should be made to face the music.
What we see today are many wolves in sheep’s clothing, masquerading as native doctors while they are actually criminally minded. Government must work with the various communities to arrest this situation. It is becoming too much.
