A renowned celebrity native doctor, widely known as Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki n’Oba, has been arrested by the Agunechemba local vigilante group.
The arrest was confirmed in a brief video shared on the Anambra State New Media Facebook handle on Saturday.
The native doctor was apprehended in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state, and remains in custody for further investigation.
“Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki n’Oba denies Okeite and has been detained for further investigation by the security agency,” the post read.
Sources revealed that he was taken to the office of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, for interrogation.
In a video circulating online, the deputy governor is seen questioning the native doctor, who denied any involvement in ‘Oke Ite.’
In Igbo language, ‘Oke Ite’ means big pot.”
“I have long stopped doing ‘Oke Ite’. That thing is not a charm. We just gave it the name ‘Oke Ite’ because we put it in a pot,” he stated.
Responding, the deputy governor said: “We need to take him to where he does these things. We will investigate him, and of course, we need to know where he does these things.”
Akwa Okuko Tiwaraki n’Oba has recently been a prominent figure in the news.
In July 2023, he was kidnapped by gunmen and held in captivity for several days before his release, reportedly facilitated by a ransom payment.
He has also faced allegations of preparing charms for criminals, including kidnappers disguised as internet fraudsters, who have been terrorizing Anambra State.
To combat the rising criminal activities, the administration of Governor Charles Soludo introduced the Anambra State Homeland Security Law in 2025.
The law enforces strict penalties on native doctors who create or administer charms, such as the notorious ‘Odeshi,’ ‘Okeite,’ and ‘Mkpu Egbe,’ in an effort to restore security and order in the state.