A local vigilante group in Rivers State has given a seven-day deadline for all native doctors to leave certain areas within the state. The Onelga Security Peace Advisory Committee (OSPAC), which is responsible for maintaining law and order, issued the ultimatum to practitioners of traditional medicine in the Ogba, Egbema, and Ndoni Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The OSPAC’s Secretary-General, Eze Ohia, made the announcement during a public sensitization event in Omoku, the administrative center of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA. During the event, he stated that reports had surfaced regarding some native doctors in the area who were reportedly storing harmful and fetish materials in their homes.
Ohia remarked that the local security group would no longer tolerate the presence of such individuals within the community. He mentioned that any native doctor who fails to vacate within the grace period would face identification during OSPAC’s search operations and would be subjected to punishment.
“The Oba-in-Council has empowered us to relay this information once again. All native doctors, particularly those who are not originally from Omoku, many of whom were expelled from their previous communities, must leave. One room is filled with charms, and other houses over 30 individuals surrounded by fetish materials,” Ohia declared.
He also cautioned landlords in the region, warning that those who continued to house individuals with suspicious activities would be held responsible. “All landlords who have rented rooms to these people must inform them they only have seven days left in Omoku,” Ohia said, making it clear that the community would take matters into its own hands.
In addition to dealing with native doctors, the vigilante group also addressed issues related to indecent dressing within the local communities. Ohia spoke out against the rising trend of inappropriate attire, particularly among young girls, and declared that the community would take strict action against anyone found violating these moral standards. He noted, “The way our young girls dress today is unacceptable. The community has decided to take a stand. We will not allow indecent dressing in public.”
Furthermore, Ohia extended the warning to young men who engage in “sagging” their trousers. According to the OSPAC leader, such individuals would face severe punishment, including corporal punishment.
Despite concerns from the public about unrest, Ohia firmly rejected rumors of any crisis in Omoku. “Omoku is entirely peaceful,” he confirmed, reassuring the community that the new measures were meant to restore peace and discipline.
