Anambra Arraigns Eight Pastors for Violating Homeland Security Law 2025

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Anambra Arraigns Eight Pastors for Violating Homeland Security Law 2025

AWKA, Nigeria – The Anambra State Government on Friday, June 5, 2026, arraigned eight pastors before a High Court sitting in Awka, the state capital, for alleged violations of the state’s Homeland Security Law, 2025. The pastors, who were arrested in Onitsha, Awka and other parts of the state, were brought before the court by operatives of the state security outfit, Agunechemba, led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Ken Emeakayi. The eight pastors arraigned are Peter Chukwu, Chinedu Egwuonwu, Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, Ebele Nnachukwu, Ekeleme Chris Ugochukwu, Ndubisi Nnachukwu, Miracle Iruoma and Chukwukadibia Ogwuama. The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, is personally leading the prosecution of the suspects. Proceedings had commenced as of the time of filing this report.

The Anambra State Homeland Security Law was passed in February 2025 and signed by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to combat rising insecurity across the state. The law established the Agunechemba security outfit, a community-based security structure operating at state, local government, and community levels across the 179 communities in Anambra. The outfit was launched with 2,000 personnel and 200 operational vehicles to strengthen grassroots policing and crime-fighting efforts. The law specifically frowns upon certain forms of religious practices deemed inimical to the public, particularly those relating to illegal wealth creation and get-rich-quick rituals. According to the state government, the crackdown targets individuals who operate under the guise of religion to exploit the public and empower criminal networks across the state. The government has identified certain religious figures—fake pastors, native doctors (dibias), and juju priests—as key enablers of criminality.

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The arraignment of the eight pastors is part of a wider state-wide crackdown on fake pastors, native doctors, and spiritualists engaged in questionable practices. This follows similar arrests and prosecutions last year of native doctors who were promoting get-rich-quick practices (Okeite rituals), with some already serving jail terms while others are currently undergoing trials. Ejimofor Opara, Media Adviser to Governor Soludo, confirmed the development and described the clerics as “fake pastors” who violated provisions of the recently enacted security law. The government has also shut down churches involved in controversial Oke-ite rituals. The Children of the Light Anointing Ministry, run by Pastor Onyebuchi Okocha (Onye Eze Jesus) in Nkpor, was sealed by Agunechemba operatives, who found substances, including containers with suspected ritual items, at the premises.

Speaking recently at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, during the All Knights Day of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Governor Soludo explained the rationale behind the crackdown, stating that it targets social reformation and protecting vulnerable residents from religious exploitation. “The state has commenced an ongoing crackdown on fake pastors who exploit the vulnerable by preaching the gospel of salvation without the cross. As I speak now, several of them are already in custody and confessing,” Soludo said. The governor emphasized that the action forms part of the mission to build a new Anambra free from deception and social vices, adding: “A new Anambra is in the offing, which must be clean and clear of such deception. We are reinforcing the church’s teaching that hard work pays and not the other way round.”

The Agunechemba security outfit was established following an upsurge in crimes like kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, touting, and criminal idolatry that had given rise to a culture celebrating wealth without enterprise. Before the state’s intervention, kidnapping had reached an alarming level in Anambra. According to a report by SBM Intelligence, Anambra ranked highest in ransom payments among 27 Nigerian states between July 2023 and July 2024, with a staggering N350 million paid to kidnappers. As part of the crackdown, the state government has arrested no fewer than 30 native doctors, including some fake pastors and notable figures said to be preparing charms for criminals. Among the notable native doctors arrested were Chidozie Nwangwu (widely known as ‘Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki’) and Eke Hit. Governor Soludo has defended the security measures, stating that there is a strong link between drug use, ritual practices, and crime in the state. According to him, one of the recently arrested native doctors was responsible for preparing anti-gunshot charms for criminals. “They (native doctors) are at the root of insecurity in our society today. They make people believe they can obtain power and success through charms without hard work. They have ruined many young lives,” Soludo said.

The eight pastors remain in custody as the state government continues its prosecution. The Attorney General’s personal handling of the case underscores the importance the Soludo administration places on enforcing the Homeland Security Law. The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that anyone who violates the state’s security laws, particularly under the guise of religious practice, will face the full weight of the law. The crackdown has significantly reduced criminal activities in the state, with cases of kidnapping and other crimes—which were previously on the rise—beginning to decline.