“Bulletproof” Charm Fails: Herbalist Hospitalized After Shooting Himself in Abuja

In what can only be described as a bizarre and tragic twist of fate, a self-proclaimed herbalist from Kuchibuyi village, Abuja, is now fighting for his life after a failed attempt to prove the power of his self-made “bulletproof” charm.

On November 23, Ismail Usman, well-known in his community for crafting unconventional charms, took a drastic step to demonstrate the effectiveness of his latest creation—a charm he claimed could make him impervious to bullets. The result? A life-threatening injury and a swift trip to the emergency room.

A Risky Experiment Gone Horribly Wrong

According to eyewitnesses, Usman stood confidently in front of a small crowd and, in a dramatic display, shot himself in the stomach with a locally fabricated gun. The charm, however, failed to do its job. Instead of bouncing off, the bullet tore through his abdomen, leaving the crowd in shock and the herbalist gravely wounded.

Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, confirmed the incident.

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“We received a distress call from a resident, Shandam Michael, reporting a shocking event involving Ismail Usman,” Adeh said. “In a misguided attempt to test the effectiveness of a self-made ‘bulletproof’ charm, Usman shot himself with a shotgun. Unfortunately, the charm failed, resulting in critical injuries.”

Rushed to the Hospital in Critical Condition

Police officers from the Byazhin Division were quick to respond, arriving at the scene to find Usman in a pool of blood. He was immediately rushed to Kubwa General Hospital for emergency treatment. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

Legal Troubles Await the Injured Herbalist

As if the life-threatening injury weren’t enough, Usman now faces serious legal consequences. The police conducted a thorough search of his home, where they recovered the homemade gun used in the experiment along with a collection of charms and other ritual items.

“Investigations are ongoing,” Adeh noted. “Usman will face charges for unlawful possession of firearms and attempted suicide under Section 231 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria.”

Authorities Condemn Reckless Use of Firearms

In the wake of the incident, FCT Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu condemned the reckless use of firearms and highlighted the dangers of illegal weapon possession.

“This incident underscores the critical need for stricter control over firearms and the importance of public education on the dangers of unregulated weapons,” Disu said. “We urge residents to report any suspicious activities involving illegal firearms to the authorities.”

Lessons to Be Learned

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with unproven traditional practices and the dangers of illegal firearms. While traditional medicine and charms remain a significant part of many Nigerian communities, this event highlights the importance of caution and critical thinking when it comes to matters of life and death.

In a world where science and superstition often collide, stories like Usman’s offer a sobering lesson: not all traditional remedies stand the test of reality—and some experiments can be fatal.