Nkechinyere Ewa-Okpara
Association of Traditional Medicine Practitioners (ATMP), Ebonyi State Chapter, has publicly distanced itself from ritual killings and reaffirmed its commitment to ethical health practices.
This is even as there are reported internal leadership disputes within the traditional medicine community in the state.
The State Chairman of the ATMP, . Augustine Ekechi in Abakaliki over the weekend condemned the recent report of exhumation and sale of a human skull allegedly intended for ritual purposes.
Ekechi described the act as “barbaric” and “unacceptable in their union.”
“Our association is dedicated to supporting modern medicine and public health; we are not involved in rituals or illegal activities. We use herbs when hospitals cannot help but refer serious cases back to doctors. Our goal is to heal, not to harm,” he stated.
Ekechi specifically condemned the actions of one Nwaji, who reportedly exhumed his brother’s skull, and Nwodo Nwenyi, the alleged native doctor who purchased it for ₦12,000 to perform a ritual act called “Okite”.
Ekechi insisted that neither of these individuals belongs to the recognised ATMP in the state and urged the police to prosecute the suspects accordingly.
“We do not recognise those individuals. The so-called native doctor is not even a true indigene; he is an outsider exploiting our land,” he added.
Ekechi also announced that the state government has banned any group claiming to be the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP), stating that only the ATMP is officially recognised in Ebonyi.
“We have arrested ten illegal practitioners and handed them over to SWAT. We are inspecting clinics and vendors to eliminate fake herbalists. Our fight is for health, not horror,” he emphasised.
The ATMP Chairman appealed to the government for herbal processing equipment and commended Governor Francis Nwifuru’s leadership for supporting healthcare transformation in Ebonyi State.
However, controversy remains in the sector, as a parallel group, the National Union of Medical Herbal Practitioners (NUMHP), challenges the ATMP’s authority in the state.
Stephen Ndubuisi Nwogha, the Ebonyi State Chairman of NUMHP, accused unnamed individuals of sidelining the national body in favour of a state-sponsored association that lacks federal recognition.
Nwogha, who claims to have been elected through a national process and holds a certificate of return, stated that political interests formed the current ATMP under the Commissioner for Health without proper consultation.
“I was called to serve as Public Relations Officer when the current association was created, but it lacks national legitimacy. We issued federal licenses that are valid across states and even abroad, unlike ATMP’s state-only reach,” he explained.
Nwogha alleged that some individuals within the sector engage in ritual practices while posing as traditional medicine practitioners and accused them of resisting reforms because of his opposition to harmful actions.
“Their opposition to me stems from the fact that I refuse to condone evil. I inspect clinics before granting licenses. We are here to save lives, not take them,” he said.
While acknowledging current cooperation with Ekechi on certain issues, Nwogha urged the Ebonyi State Government to unify all factions and officially recognise the national body of the traditional medicine association.
“We can put an end to these dangerous practices if we are united. We need regulation, not rivalry,” he remarked.
Recall that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
Confirmed the detention of the suspects linked to the ritual case. The NSCDC Commandant, Francis Nnadi, labelled the act as a “gruesome desecration of the dead” and assured that the suspects would face full prosecution.
As both groups call for unity and regulation, the future of traditional medicine in Ebonyi hinges on resolving the leadership rift and eradicating illegal ritual practices that threaten its credibility.