Akwa: The Anambra State Government has urged residents to report pastors, churches, or self-proclaimed “men of God” allegedly involved in criminal activities, fraud, extortion, and other forms of deception.
The Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr Law Mefor, made the appeal in a statement issued on Sunday in Awka.
He called on members of the public to provide credible information about individuals or religious groups engaged in activities endangering lives, destabilising communities, or misleading residents.
Mefor assured that all information received would be treated with confidentiality.
According to him, the initiative forms part of the government’s broader efforts to rid the state of criminal elements operating under the guise of religion and to restore law, order, and social sanity.
He said the campaign was not targeted at legitimate religious or traditional institutions but at individuals exploiting faith and cultural platforms for criminal purposes.
“Despite negative claims during campaigns against efforts to sanitise the system of criminals posing as traditional healers and religious leaders, this initiative is aimed at protecting genuine freedom of worship and traditional practice,” the statement read.
“We are calling on Ndị Anambra to work with the government to reclaim the state from those hiding under religion, culture and tradition to commit crimes,” he added.
Residents were urged to report such cases via +2348034182108 or the emergency line 5111.