Native Doctors, Fraudsters Find New Base in Asaba Amid Anambra Cleanup

A wave of criminal elements, including fake native doctors, internet fraudsters, and kidnappers, have reportedly fled from Anambra State and relocated to Asaba, the Delta State capital, following a crackdown by Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration. The Anambra government’s ongoing operation against criminal networks, particularly native doctors and spiritualists accused of aiding cybercrime and kidnapping, has pushed these individuals to seek refuge across the Niger.

Local leaders in Delta, including the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Prof. Epiphany Azinge, and the Obuzor of Ibusa, HRM Louis Nwaoboshi, have raised alarms over the growing presence of these groups in their communities. The traditional rulers have initiated local security strategies, such as “Operation Know Your Tenants,” aimed at identifying and regulating new residents and rooting out illegal activities. The Asagba, in a recent press briefing, banned the operations of unknown *ezenwanyis* (female native doctors) and unregistered shrines, condemning their association with ritual practices linked to fraud and kidnapping.

Asaba’s security situation drew national attention after the kidnapping and murder of Anambra lawmaker, Hon. Justice Azuka, who was abducted in Onitsha and reportedly held in Asaba, where suspects used a local nurse and native doctor to access his bank accounts before executing him. Security agents later uncovered that the key suspects lived lavishly in Asaba with the proceeds of their crimes and had stashed weapons within school premises, exposing gaping vulnerabilities in public safety.

Residents like Daniel Ezeigbo, a businessman and landlord, blame the influx on spiraling insecurity in the East and rising costs of living in Asaba. “Criminals are offering landlords up to N2 million for apartments. Many don’t ask questions,” he said, criticizing state authorities for being slow to act. He noted that Yahoo-Yahoo culture has infiltrated the youth and called for tighter vetting laws on tenancy and better enforcement.

Community voices, including that of activist Comrade Victor Ojei and concerned locals like Jonathan and Anayo Ndubuisi, echoed fears about Asaba’s transformation into a haven for displaced criminals. “A few years ago, Nollywood stars flocked here. Today, it’s dangerous,” said Ndubuisi. The outcry has also been amplified by rising reports of kidnappings spreading from the capital to surrounding towns like Okpanam and Otulu.

Despite the concerns, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori maintains that Asaba remains peaceful and investor-friendly. Speaking during the opening of a new hotel, he emphasized the city’s growth as a business hub, highlighting that its appeal rests in security and stability. Echoing this, Chief Patrick Ukah, Director General of the Asaba Capital Territory Development Agency, described Asaba as “arguably the safest capital city in Nigeria,” stressing that recent arrests of high-profile suspects reflect active collaboration between local and federal security operatives.

SP Bright Edafe, spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, dismissed claims that criminals see Asaba as a safe zone. “That’s false. Our operations are proactive. The fact that criminals were arrested here shows how effective our system is,” he said, urging the public not to generalize based on isolated events.

Meanwhile, the monarchs of Asaba and Ibusa have vowed to work with law enforcement to flush out criminal elements, enforce registration of native doctors, and penalize residents or landlords complicit in harboring wrongdoers. The NDLEA is also expected to step up its efforts in identifying drug trafficking hubs.

While authorities insist Asaba remains secure, the city stands at a crossroads, confronting the challenge of maintaining its reputation as a peaceful capital while protecting itself from becoming a refuge for displaced crime networks.