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Anambra asks residents for evidence against arrested ‘fake’ pastors

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The Anambra State Government is seeking public assistance to gather evidence against arrested pastors accused of criminal activities.
  • This initiative aims to cleanse religious practices and restore order, following a crackdown on fake traditional healers.
  • Residents with credible information are encouraged to contact a provided hotline, with assurances of confidentiality.

Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo's administration is extending its campaign against fraudulent religious figures, now targeting "fake" pastors and churches. The state government has urged residents to provide evidence against individuals accused of criminal practices, extortion, fraud, and deception under the guise of religious leadership.

The Anambra State Government, under the leadership of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has extended the ‘War against fake native doctors’ to fake pastors and other individuals masquerading as men and women of God while engaging in criminal practices.

— Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr Law MeforIn a statement detailing the government's initiative to address fraudulent religious figures.

This measure is part of a broader effort to sanitize religious and traditional practices, aiming to restore law and order within the state. The government stated that information provided by the public will be treated with strict confidentiality. This initiative follows a previous crackdown on individuals posing as traditional healers.

All information will be treated with absolute confidentiality.

— Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr Law MeforReassuring residents who may provide information about fake pastors and churches.

Several pastors have already been arrested and arraigned for allegedly violating the state's Homeland Security Law, including staging fake miracles. One pastor, the General Overseer of Day Spring Assembly, Awada, Onitsha, was arrested for alleged sexual misconduct and marrying underage girls. The government has provided a hotline for residents to submit useful information.

Let us work together to take back our state from criminals hiding under religion, culture and tradition.

— Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr Law MeforAppealing to residents for cooperation in identifying and prosecuting offenders.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.