Soludo Urges Residents To Report Fake Pastors, Says Government Will Go After Criminals Hiding Under Religion

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has called on residents to assist the government in identifying and exposing individuals posing as pastors while allegedly engaging in criminal activities across the state.

The appeal was made in a statement issued in Awka by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor.

According to the state government, the campaign forms part of ongoing efforts to tackle criminality and restore public confidence in religious and traditional institutions.

Soludo urged citizens to provide credible information about pastors, churches and self-acclaimed men of God who may be involved in activities such as fraud, extortion, deception or any act capable of threatening public safety and peace.

“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 stated.

The commissioner said the Soludo administration has developed strategies aimed at confronting individuals who use religion or traditional practices as a cover for unlawful activities.

He explained that the government’s objective is not to target genuine religious worshippers but to expose criminals exploiting people’s faith for personal gain.

Mefor added that the initiative is part of the administration’s broader effort to sanitise religious and traditional practices in Anambra State and strengthen the fight against crime.

He assured residents that any information provided would be treated with strict confidentiality to protect informants and encourage public participation.

According to him, collaboration between citizens and security agencies remains critical to achieving lasting peace and security across the state.

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

The latest call comes as the Anambra State Government continues its crackdown on individuals and groups accused of using spiritual claims, religious influence or traditional practices to facilitate criminal activities.

Authorities maintain that the campaign is aimed at protecting residents and ensuring that legitimate religious and cultural institutions are not used as platforms for crime.