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Enugu gov cracks down on native doctors aiding ritual killings, kidnappings

Published

1 year ago

June 5, 2025

Enugu State governor, Mr. Peter Mbah

Enugu gov cracks down on native doctors aiding ritual killings, kidnappings

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has transmitted an executive bill to the Enugu State House of Assembly to checkmate criminal activities among native doctors, herbalists and related persons in the state.

The proposed legislation entitled, “Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance and Order,” also outlaws money rituals, otherwise known as ‘Okite,’ and criminal bulletproof charms, otherwise known as ‘Odeshi.’

It equally outlaws illegal use or occupation of forests and property for criminal activities.

By the provisions of Section 3 (1), “Every person, who engages in the practice or rendering of spiritual services within the state, whether as a native doctor, herbalist, spiritualist, chief priest, diviner, seer or by any other traditional or spiritual title or designation, shall be registered with the ministry, department or agency (MDA) of the state as may be designated by the Governor for that purpose.”

Practising without registration will attract a fine of not less than N1 million and not more than N5 million or two years in prison or both.

Section 15 of the proposed legislation provides that, “Any person who, under the guise of spiritual or traditional practice, including but not limited to the practices commonly referred to as ‘okite,’ ‘ezenwanyi,’ or any other mystical or ritual name/form, administers or causes to be administered any charm, substance or object on or for another person, for the purpose of (a) invincibility and other forms of protection to facilitate the commission of any criminal offence; or (b) acquiring wealth or benefits by supernatural means outside any lawful means of livelihood, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of six years or to a fine of not less than N5,000,000 or both.

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“Any person, who falsely claims to possess supernatural powers or misleads the public into believing so, for the purpose of gaining reward, or influence, whether financially or otherwise, commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of three years or to a fine of not less than N3,000,000 or both.”

It further provides that where a person claims spiritual powers under this law, “the burden shall lie on such a person, during investigation, to provide reasonable proof of the purported supernatural abilities claimed.”

In the same vein, Section 16 prescribes six years of imprisonment or a fine of N5 million or both against anyone, who uses or knowingly permits the use of any religious place, for the commission or facilitation of a crime, in addition to sealing of the facility pending the outcome of investigation.

Section 17 stipulates that, “Any person who performs, facilitates, demands, directs or participates in any ritual or traditional practice, involving the use of human parts, or who causes another person to do so, commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 20 years without the option of a fine.”

Under Section 13, “Any person found in a camp, bush or forest within Enugu State, without any reasonable or lawful cause, and under circumstances giving rise to reasonable suspicion of involvement in any criminal activity, shall be promptly handed over to the Nigeria Police Force or any competent security agency for proper investigation in accordance with the law.”

On the use of forests and property for banditry and kidnapping, the Bill proposes that, “Any person who owns, occupies or has control over any land or building, whether located in a forest or elsewhere, and knowingly allows it to be used as a camp, hideout or base for kidnapping, the unlawful detention of victims, the collection of ransom or for any other activity connected to kidnapping or banditry, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 20 years without the option of a fine.”

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Also, any person, who knowingly allows any person, who is not a member of the nation’s security agencies to reside, camp or establish any form of settlement on his or her land, except for farming, is liable on conviction to two-year imprisonment without an option of fine.

Any person who knowingly fails to report suspicious use of their property, and fails to report the same to the security agencies “commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of two years without the option of a fine.

“Subject to the provisions of Section 3 of the Criminal Code (Second Amendment) Law 2016, any land, property, or structure used in contravention of Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10 of this law shall be forfeited to the Government of Enugu State,” the Bill further provides.

Again, money, property and other proceeds of theft, robbery and kidnapping, among others, are to be forfeited to the Enugu State Government, unless a lawful and verifiable owner claims it within a reasonable time.

The Bill equally makes it mandatory for private security outfits to register with the state government, providing the particulars of the outfit and all armed security operatives employed or deployed by them, while all presidents-general of town unions are to submit security reports to local government council chairmen or any other department designated by the government not later than the first week of every new month.

In the same vein, landlords and proprietors of hotels, guest houses and estate associations are demanded by the bill to obtain and transmit valid means of identification, phone number, occupation and place of work of their prospective tenants and guests to the relevant authority.

Proprietors of hotels and other lodging facilities shall install a surveillance camera within public areas to record and submit records of activities to relevant authorities.

Penalties for contravention of this provision range from a fine of not less than N500,000 for landlords to N1 million.

Enugu gov cracks down on native doctors aiding ritual killings, kidnappings

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Fresh Kidnap at Cocoa Institute: Gunmen Seize Three Workers in Oyo

Published

4 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Fresh Kidnap at Cocoa Institute: Gunmen Seize Three Workers in Oyo

Gunmen have reportedly abducted three workers of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State, triggering another security operation as police intensify efforts to rescue the victims and arrest those responsible.

The incident occurred on Friday, October 9, 2026, while the workers were inspecting crops on a farm within the institute’s premises, according to the Oyo State Police Command.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the abduction, saying the command had launched a manhunt for the suspected kidnappers and was working to secure the victims’ safe release.

Police operatives are reportedly pursuing leads to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. The command has also urged members of the public with credible information that could assist the investigation or rescue operation to contact the authorities.

The latest attack has heightened concerns about the safety of staff members at the federal agricultural research institution, following previous reports of abductions involving people connected to the institute and its surrounding communities.

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In March 2026, gunmen reportedly abducted four cocoa farmers in the area around the institute, prompting security operations. Subsequent reports indicated that the victims were eventually freed following efforts by security personnel.

In another incident in May, two CRIN staff members were reportedly abducted after armed men invaded the institute’s premises. Police later announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with that case.

The latest incident has renewed calls for stronger security around the institute and neighbouring farming communities, where workers may need to conduct field inspections away from the main administrative facilities.

The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, a federal institution involved in research on cocoa and other industrial crops, plays an important role in agricultural development and the improvement of farming practices.

The abduction has raised fresh questions about the protection of agricultural researchers and field workers, particularly those whose duties require them to work on farms and other locations vulnerable to criminal attacks.

As of Friday, police reports identified three victims in the latest incident. The rescue operation and search for the suspected kidnappers were ongoing, with no further details about the victims’ identities or the circumstances of their possible release immediately confirmed.

Fresh Kidnap at Cocoa Institute: Gunmen Seize Three Workers in Oyo

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Anambra Tragedy: Mother, Teenage Daughter Crushed as Three-Storey Building Collapses

Published

4 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Anambra Tragedy: Mother, Teenage Daughter Crushed as Three-Storey Building Collapses

A mother and her 14-year-old daughter have died after a three-storey building under construction collapsed onto their residence in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, amid allegations that warnings about the structure’s safety were ignored.

The victims were identified as Mrs Happiness Ugoagu and her daughter, Confidence, who were reportedly asleep in their home when the neighbouring building came crashing down at Anata Anaba, Okpoko.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night, October 7, according to eyewitness accounts, although an initial report by the state government described it as a Thursday morning incident.

The collapse trapped the mother and daughter beneath the debris, while other people caught in the rubble were reportedly rescued and taken to hospital.

The victims’ son, Chimobi Ugoagu, said he was outside the house when the building collapsed, while his mother and sister were inside. He alleged that residents had repeatedly warned the builder about the potential danger posed by the structure, but their concerns were not heeded.

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Residents also claimed that the building stood on waterlogged land and that an engineer had initially advised limiting the structure to two storeys because of the ground conditions. They alleged that construction continued to three storeys despite the reported warning.

Anambra State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, visited the scene and described the incident as unfortunate. He said the building was illegal and that authorities had previously issued a stop-work notice.

Ojukwu also blamed the collapse on the alleged use of substandard construction materials and ordered the demolition of the structure. He said the government was investigating other unapproved buildings under construction in the area.

Emergency responders, residents and local government officials took part in rescue and recovery operations. The Anambra State Emergency Management Agency deployed an excavator to assist with clearing the debris, while the National Emergency Management Agency dispatched a team to support the response.

The remains of the mother and daughter were subsequently recovered and evacuated to a morgue.

Ogbaru Local Government Chairman Nnamdi Ifejika expressed condolences to the bereaved family, describing the deaths as a devastating loss. He also called for greater attention to building safety and urged residents to report structures they believe could endanger lives.

The exact technical cause of the collapse had not been independently established in the available reports. The circumstances surrounding the construction, the reported stop-work notice and the allegations that safety warnings were ignored remain issues for the relevant authorities to investigate.

The tragedy has renewed concerns about building safety, compliance with planning regulations and enforcement of construction standards in Nigeria, particularly where buildings are erected on potentially unstable or waterlogged ground.

Anambra Tragedy: Mother, Teenage Daughter Crushed as Three-Storey Building Collapses

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MURIC Urges FG to Suspend NYSC Scheme, Discharge 20 Freed Corps Members

Published

11 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Trends Admin

MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola

MURIC Urges FG to Suspend NYSC Scheme, Discharge 20 Freed Corps Members

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Federal Government to suspend the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme until the country’s worsening insecurity is brought under control.

The Islamic human rights organisation also demanded the immediate discharge of 20 corps members recently released after spending a week in the custody of kidnappers in Imo State.

MURIC urged the government to issue the affected corps members their NYSC discharge certificates and pay them the allowances they would have received throughout the 2026/2027 service year as compensation for their ordeal.

The group’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, made the demands in a press release issued on Friday, October 9, 2026.

Akintola said the abduction of the corps members had highlighted the security challenges facing participants in the national service scheme, arguing that young Nigerians should not be exposed to such risks while fulfilling their national obligations.

MURIC welcomed the release of the 20 corps members and expressed gratitude for their safe return, while congratulating their parents and families.

The organisation, however, said the traumatic experience of the freed corps members and others who had suffered similar ordeals warranted a review of the scheme’s operation amid persistent insecurity.

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According to Akintola, insecurity has become the scheme’s greatest challenge, placing the Federal Government under an obligation to protect young Nigerians participating in national service.

He argued that the government had a responsibility, in its capacity as a guardian, to ensure the safety of corps members deployed to different parts of the country.

“However, in view of the apparent inability to do this, at least presently, we demand the suspension of the NYSC scheme until FG is able to take full control of the security situation in the country,” he said.

The group also insisted that the 20 freed corps members should not be required to continue their service after their reported week-long ordeal in captivity.

MURIC proposed that the affected individuals be formally discharged and compensated with the allowances they would otherwise have earned during the entire 2026/2027 service year.

The organisation said its demands were aimed at protecting young Nigerians from further exposure to kidnapping and other security threats associated with national service.

The call comes amid renewed concerns over the safety of corps members travelling to their places of deployment, particularly in areas affected by kidnapping and other security challenges.

The NYSC scheme, established in 1973, requires eligible Nigerian graduates to undertake a year of national service, including deployment to states other than their places of origin in many cases.

MURIC’s proposal would require a major policy decision by the Federal Government and the relevant authorities responsible for administering the scheme.

The government had yet to respond to the demands contained in the statement at the time of this report.