The Anambra State Government has urged residents to provide credible information on individuals posing as pastors or religious leaders and engaging in criminal activities, including extortion, fraud, deception, and other acts capable of endangering public safety.
The call was made in a statement issued in Awka on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor.
He said the initiative was part of government efforts to sanitise religious and traditional practices in the state.
According to him, the government is also interested in reports concerning churches, pastors, or self-proclaimed “men of God” allegedly involved in activities that threaten peace and mislead members of the public.
He assured residents that any information submitted would be treated with strict confidentiality, adding that the move was not aimed at genuine religious practice but at criminal elements operating under religious cover.
Dr Mefor explained that the campaign forms part of broader efforts to reduce criminality and restore order across communities in the state.
He maintained that the government’s actions are intended to protect genuine worshippers and uphold lawful religious expression.
“In spite of the negative claims made during the campaigns against the effort to clean up criminals pretending to be traditional healers and real religious leaders, this effort will actually protect the true freedom of traditional worship and religious practice,” the statement noted.
He further called on residents to collaborate with authorities in exposing individuals exploiting religion or tradition for illegal gain, stressing that such collaboration would help restore public trust and security.
Members of the public were encouraged to report relevant information via telephone lines provided by the government, including +2348034182108 and 5111, for prompt action.
The commissioner reiterated that the administration remains committed to tackling criminality in all forms while ensuring that lawful religious activities are not disrupted.
