We need to have a candid conversation. Why aren’t we speaking out about the fact that some ndi Dibia are making charms for kidnappers? Will we pretend that these criminals don’t inform them what the charms are for? If a Dibia intentionally provides a kidnapper with charms to avoid capture, damage people, or succeed in their bad activities, that Dibia is just as culpable as the kidnapper.

This is why regulating the operations of ndi Dibia in Igboland is critical. Governor Soludo is not attacking Igbo culture or ndi Dibia; rather, he is fighting the evil ones among them. He never said people shouldn’t practice like Dibia; he simply stated that their activities should be regulated to ensure that no one is utilizing their skills to help criminals.

However, some people, particularly those who profess to be defending Igbo culture, are twisting the reality to make it appear that Soludo is fighting tradition.

 

Let’s not kid ourselves: this is the twenty-first century. We cannot practice everything exactly as our forefathers did. Times have changed, and so should we. Even in antiquity, Igbo civilization followed laws and norms. We always had mechanisms to checkmate those who abused their authority. So why should today be any different?

The terrible aspect is that many individuals who defend these wicked ndi Dibia on social media are not even protecting Igbo culture; instead, they are unknowingly protecting criminals. Some of them have no understanding of our culture’s profound values and merely perceive it as something to exploit. And, to be honest, even criminals are online, commenting and spreading narratives that make Soludo appear to be the enemy—all in order to stay safe.

I enjoy Igbo culture. I advocate for our traditions, people, and legacy. But I will never support anything that would devastate our land. Being Igbo does not imply supporting criminals, but rather defending ideals of honesty, hard labor, and justice. Nobody can ruin the Igbo culture. Our identity is defined by our language, food, and way of life. However, we must stop conflating culture with crime. Making charms for criminals is not in our tradition. Defending injustice in the guise of tradition is not part of our culture.

So, before you join the crowd condemning Soludo, consider yourself: Are you truly standing for Igbo culture, or are you unintentionally supporting criminals? The future of Igboland is dependent on our ability to confront evil, no matter where it hides. Let us separate culture from crime—for the benefit of our people and future generations. Udo.