Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has submitted an executive bill to the State House of Assembly aimed at tightening internal security and regulating the activities of native doctors, herbalists, and similar practitioners.
The legislation, titled Maintenance of Internal Security, Vigilance, and Order, seeks to criminalize ritual practices, bulletproof charms for illicit purposes, and the unauthorized use of forests or properties for criminal activities.
A statement from the governor’s media office on Wednesday revealed key provisions of the proposed law. Among them is a mandatory registration requirement for all private security companies operating in the state.
These companies must provide full details of their organizations and all armed personnel to the government. Furthermore, town union presidents-general will be required to submit monthly security reports to local government chairmen or designated authorities.
The bill imposes responsibilities on landlords, hotel and guest house operators, and estate managers to gather and forward valid identification, phone numbers, occupations, and places of work of tenants and guests to the appropriate authorities. Penalties for non-compliance include fines and imprisonment.
Section 3(1) of the bill reads: “Every person who engages in the practice or rendering of spiritual services within the state, whether as a native doctor, herbalist, spiritualist, chief priest, diviner, seer, or by any other traditional or spiritual title or designation, shall be registered with the ministry, department, or agency (MDA) of the state as may be designated by the Governor for that purpose.” Unregistered practitioners risk fines between ₦1 million and ₦5 million, a prison sentence of up to two years, or both.
Section 15 specifically targets ritual and mystical practices used to commit crimes or obtain wealth illicitly. It states: “Any person who, under the guise of spiritual or traditional practice—including, but not limited to, practices commonly referred to as okite, ezenwanyi, or any other mystical or ritual name or form—administers or causes to be administered any charm, substance, or object on or for another person for the purpose of: (a) achieving invincibility or other forms of protection to facilitate the commission of any criminal offence; or (b) acquiring wealth or benefits through supernatural means outside any lawful source of livelihood, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of six (6) years or to a fine of not less than ₦5 million, or both.”
The bill also criminalizes deceitful claims of supernatural powers. Offenders may face three years in prison, a minimum fine of ₦3 million, or both. Those asserting spiritual capabilities must present reasonable proof if investigated.
Section 16 prescribes penalties for using religious spaces to aid criminal acts. “Anyone who uses or knowingly permits the use of any religious facility for the commission or facilitation of a crime” will face six years in prison or a ₦5 million fine—or both. Such facilities are subject to closure pending investigation outcomes.
Section 17 introduces severe consequences for ritual killings, stipulating: “Any person who performs, facilitates, demands, directs, or participates in any ritual or traditional practice involving the use of human parts—or causes another person to do so—commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of twenty (20) years without the option of a fine.”
The bill also addresses the issue of unlawful forest occupation. Section 13 states: “Any person found in a camp, bush, or forest within Enugu State without any reasonable or lawful cause, and under circumstances giving rise to suspicion of involvement in criminal activity, shall be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force or any competent security agency for proper investigation.”
Regarding property use, the legislation stipulates: “Any person who owns, occupies, or has control over any land or building—whether located in a forest or elsewhere—and knowingly allows it to be used as a camp, hideout, or base for kidnapping, unlawful detention, ransom collection, or any activity connected to banditry, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to twenty (20) years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.” Individuals who allow unauthorized persons to settle on their land, except for farming, face two years in prison without a fine option. Failure to report suspicious activities on one’s property is similarly punishable.
According to the bill, “Subject to Section 3 of the Criminal Code (Second Amendment) Law 2016, any land, property, or structure used in contravention of Sections 7, 8, 9, and 10 of this law shall be forfeited to the Government of Enugu State.” In addition, any proceeds of crimes such as robbery or kidnapping will be confiscated unless a lawful owner claims them within a reasonable period.
The legislation underscores Governor Mbah’s broader agenda to strengthen internal security, curb ritual-related crimes, and promote transparency and accountability across private security and accommodation sectors in Enugu State.
