The Enugu State Government has begun arresting native doctors operating in the state, with several suspects already detained and facing charges. The operation, led by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is backed by armed police officers and aims to curb the activities of unregistered traditional practitioners.
According to reports, the arrested individuals were dragged and handcuffed during the police-backed raid, with one suspect insisting he had not committed any crime, saying, “I have not killed anyone with my medicine. I am a native doctor”.
The Enugu State Government has transmitted an executive bill to the state House of Assembly, seeking to regulate traditional practices and outlaw unregistered operations. The proposed legislation mandates registration with the state government and prescribes penalties for non-compliance, including fines and imprisonment.
Governor Peter Mbah’s administration has vowed to tackle insecurity and ritual killings linked to some native doctors, with the bill proposing 20 years’ imprisonment without fine for those involved in human parts trafficking.
The move has sparked mixed reactions, with some questioning the targeting of traditional practitioners while others call for stricter regulations. The government has emphasized the need to strike a balance between traditional practices and modern laws, prioritizing public safety.
