The Anambra State Government has shut down a controversial shrine in Umuofor village, Okija, following allegations of its links to “Oke Ite” rituals tied to cyber fraud and occult enrichment schemes.
Special Adviser on Community Security to the Anambra State Governor, Ken Emeakayi, led the operation, deploying a joint security task force, Operation Udo Ga-Achi, to seal the site.
The shrine, operated by 32-year-old Ekene Igboegbueze, allegedly facilitated “Yahoo Plus”—a term describing cybercrime augmented by occult rituals—alongside other outlawed practices like “Awele” and “Oke Ite”
Emeakayi said the crackdown followed months of community petitions and a viral video in which Igboegbueze openly boasted about providing supernatural aid for illicit wealth.
“This shrine promoted criminality and violated our Homeland Security Laws. We’ve seized all assets linked to his activities,” he said.
Confiscated items will undergo forensic analysis to guide further legal action.
Director of Operations for the Agunechemba Security Outfit,vChinenye Ihenko, condemned the growing nexus between fraudsters and ritualists.
“These so-called native doctors and fake pastors are poisoning our youth with shortcuts to riches. Their lies breed danger,” he warned, urging youths to reject such schemes.
The raid underscores Anambra’s intensified campaign against ritual-linked crimes, amid rising concerns over “Yahoo Plus” networks exploiting traditional beliefs for cyber fraud.
