Governor Chukwuma Soludo has called on residents of Anambra State to provide information on fake priests, pastors and other individuals using religion as a cover for criminal activities.
The call was contained in a public service announcement issued by the Anambra State Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, which said the state's ongoing campaign against fake native doctors has now been extended to fraudulent religious figures.
According to the government, the move is part of efforts to rid the state of criminality and restore law and order across communities.
The statement noted that some individuals who present themselves as men and women of God are allegedly involved in crimes ranging from fraud and extortion to deception and other activities that threaten public safety.
"We are extending the war against fake native doctors to fake pastors and other individuals masquerading as genuine men and women of God while engaging in criminal practices," the government said.
Soludo urged Ndi Anambra and other residents with credible information on pastors, churches or self-acclaimed religious leaders involved in criminal activities to come forward.
"The government is calling on Ndi Anambra and all residents of the state with credible information on pastors, churches, or so-called men of God involved in criminality, extortion, fraud, deception, or any act that endangers lives and the peace of our communities to please speak up," the statement read.
The governor assured residents that information provided would be treated with strict confidentiality.
Responding to criticisms that greeted the government's crackdown on fake native doctors, the administration maintained that the exercise is not targeted at genuine religious or traditional practitioners.
"Despite the negative claims made during the campaigns against the effort to clean up criminals pretending to be traditional healers and real religious leaders, this effort will actually protect the true freedom of traditional worship and religious practice," the statement added.
Soludo stressed that the objective is to protect legitimate religious and traditional institutions from being exploited by criminal elements.
"Let us work together to take back our state from criminals hiding under religion, culture and tradition," the governor said.
Residents with useful information were advised to contact the authorities through the designated channels provided by the state government.
The announcement was signed by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor.
