Governor Chukwuma Soludo has urged citizens and residents of Anambra State to actively support the government’s intensified campaign against fake pastors and other religious impostors operating in the state.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, the governor appealed to the public to come forward with credible information on individuals disguising themselves as clergymen while allegedly engaging in criminal activities.

“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,” Mefor said.

According to the commissioner, the Soludo administration has developed robust strategies to confront the menace of fake pastors and native doctors directly, as part of a wider initiative to rid the state of criminality and restore order.

Mefor added that the move forms part of the Solution Government’s commitment to sanitising both traditional worship and religious practices across Anambra.

He assured residents that all information received would be handled with the utmost confidentiality to protect those who provide tips.

“Let us work together to take back our state from criminals hiding under religion, culture, and tradition,” the commissioner said.

Members of the Egwuena Age Grade have reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Abiriba community through the annual Court Cleaning Cultural Festival, popularly known as “Iza Obu.”

The 2026 edition of the festival took place on June 13 in Aba, Abia State, attracting traditional rulers, elders, family members, and other members of the community who gathered to witness the observance of one of the community’s oldest traditions.

Iza Obu, an integral part of the revered Igwa-Mang institution, is traditionally performed by the military age grade as a demonstration of service, discipline, and respect for the institutions of leadership and justice in Abiriba.

During the ceremony, members of the Egwuena Age Grade undertook the symbolic cleaning of the traditional court house, known as the Obu, a revered place where elders and custodians of tradition deliberate on issues affecting the community.

Speaking during interviews conducted at the event, Mr. Onyeuku Okorouga, President of the Egwuena Age Grade, Aba Branch, described Iza Obu as a cultural obligation that connects younger generations with the values and traditions of their forefathers.

Also speaking, Mr. Amogu James, Vice President of the Egwuena Age Grade, Aba Branch, emphasized the role of the festival in promoting communal service, respect for elders, and unity among members of the community.

The General President of Egwuena Age Grade Worldwide, Mr. Kalu Eme, reiterated that Iza Obu extends beyond the physical act of cleaning the court premises, noting that it serves as a reminder of the responsibilities attached to leadership, service, and the preservation of cultural identity.

Mr. Eme also addressed questions regarding the absence of the wives of age grade members during the ceremony. He explained that the tradition draws inspiration from the ancient role of warriors who went to battle while their wives remained at home to care for their families and offer prayers for their safe return.
He likened the members of the military age grade to warriors carrying out communal responsibilities, adding that, traditionally, their wives await their return and welcome them home with joy and specially prepared meals, symbolizing appreciation and support for their service to the community.

Another member of the association, Mr. Kalu Onwuka, underscored the importance of preserving indigenous customs, stressing that cultural practices such as Iza Obu serve as educational platforms through which younger generations learn the history, values, and identity of the Abiriba people.
Prince Nwojo George, while speaking to newsmen, encouraged unity among age grades and prayed for progress and success while upholding the essence of the event

Historical accounts presented during the event traced the origin of Iza Obu to the era when younger men were responsible for defending the community against external threats. Upon returning from military expeditions, they underwent a period of transition into elderhood, during which they were required to demonstrate discipline, responsibility, and commitment to communal service, including the annual cleaning of the court house.

Under the Igwa-Mang institution, the military age grade is entrusted with responsibilities such as maintaining public order, enforcing community regulations, undertaking developmental projects, preserving cultural traditions, and safeguarding the community.

For the Egwuena Age Grade, the Court Cleaning Festival forms part of a four-year cultural obligation expected to culminate in 2028, marking their successful transition within Abiriba’s traditional age-grade structure.

The next edition of the Iza Obu Festival by the Egwuena Age Grade is scheduled to hold in June 2027.

As modernization continues to influence indigenous communities across the country, participants at the event maintained that preserving cultural practices such as Iza Obu remains essential to safeguarding the history, identity, and values of the Abiriba people for future generations.

A local tricycle operator, Mr. Dennis Izuchukwu Okechi, has recounted how six armed bandits threatened to shoot him dead after he used the Igbo language to secretly alert his community to his location during a kidnapping ordeal in Ohuhu, Umuahia North Local Government Area.

Okechi and Mrs. Onyinyechi Ekechukwu, a farmer, were abducted around 3:00 p.m. last Wednesday while returning from their farm in the Umuawa Alaocha community. The bandits dragged them into the bush, where they inflicted wounds on both victims and demanded a ₦10 million ransom.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Okechi described the dramatic moment when the kidnappers handed him his phone to contact his family. Instead of using English, he quickly switched to Igbo to reveal their exact location in the Udengwu forest.

“I quickly used the Igbo language to alert them about the area where the bandits had dragged me and Auntie Onyinyechi. I told them that I was being held in the Udengwu area, and this helped my people to know the location where we were being held,” Okechi narrated.

He continued: “But the bandits became angry at me for not speaking English so that they could hear what I told my people. They threatened to shoot me.”

The victims were rescued around midnight the same day by the Umuawa Alaocha community security outfit after youths and leaders mobilized and combed the forest following Okechi’s alert. The bandits, who reportedly spoke a strange language and identified themselves as “bandits,” fled through another route in the bush upon noticing the approaching rescue team.

Okechi expressed deep appreciation to the youths and leaders of his community for their swift response, which led to their rescue.

In reaction to the incident, the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, strongly condemned the attack on his Ohuhu community. He called for increased vigilance across Ohuhu and other parts of Igboland to curb the rising threat of banditry and kidnapping.