Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has vowed a sustained crackdown on what he described as “fake pastors” who exploit vulnerable residents under the guise of religious ministry, revealing that several suspects are already in custody and making confessions.
Speaking on Sunday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral during the All Knights Day celebration of the Catholic Diocese of Awka, Soludo said the state has commenced an ongoing operation against fraudulent religious operators who preach what he called a “gospel of salvation without the cross.”
“The state has commenced an ongoing crackdown on fake pastors who exploit the vulnerable by preaching gospel of ‘salvation without the cross’. As I speak now, several of them are already in custody and confessing,” Soludo said.
He maintained that the administration was committed to building “a new Anambra” rooted in discipline, hard work and accountability, warning against messages that encourage shortcuts to wealth or success. “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,” he added.
The governor said the crackdown is aimed at ending religious exploitation in Anambra and protecting vulnerable residents. “The action forms part of our mission to build a new Anambra free from deception and social vices. We remain committed to keeping the state clean and clear of practices that weaken our social values,” he stated.
Soludo challenged pastors and prophets claiming to be genuine to visit Amaku Hospital to perform miracles. “We’ve arrested fake pastors and bishops. Whoever wants to perform miracle should come to Amaku Hospital,” he said.
He urged church leaders and members of the laity council to demonstrate courage in driving societal transformation. “Church leaders and the laity council must embody the courage required for societal transformation, governance and knighthood must prioritise the right path for societal development instead of the easy route,” Soludo said.
The governor also revisited the state’s burial regulation reforms, noting that the Anambra Burial Law was designed to curb excessive spending on funerals and reduce what he described as unnecessary pomp and pageantry. He said the policy aims to ensure citizens are given what he called “a befitting living and decent burial” without financial strain on families.
Highlighting the link between fraudulent religious practices and crime, Soludo said one of the recently arrested native doctors was responsible for preparing anti-gunshot charms for criminals. “The law has driven away many criminals, including fake native doctors and pastors who were fueling criminality in the state. The government is using this law to cleanse Anambra and restore its values,” he stated.
The state government had earlier sealed the “Children of the Light Anointing Ministry,” a church led by Pastor Onyebuchi Okocha, also known as “Onye Eze Jesus,” in Amafor village, Nkpor, after allegations emerged regarding the church’s involvement in the controversial “Oke-ite” traditional ritual. Soludo has also previously banned loud preaching in marketplaces, citing noise pollution and public disturbance, with violators facing a ₦500,000 fine.
Soludo commended the Catholic Diocese of Awka for promoting the common good and resisting societal decay. In a demonstration of fiscal discipline, he approved financial support for the Knights’ charity outreach to orphanages but rejected a request for government funds to sew uniforms, insisting that public resources should not be used for private institutional regalia.
In his homily, Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, represented by Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Iheanacho, described knighthood as a call to discipline, accountability and sober reflection. He urged the knights to serve with humility and courage, warning against elitism and encouraging them to remain close to the people.
