A bizarre incident occurred in Kuchibuyi Village, Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as a native doctor, Ismail Usman, was hospitalized after shooting himself while testing a self-made “bulletproof” charm.
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed on Saturday that the event unfolded on Friday. Usman, a local herbalist known for his unconventional practices, fired a shotgun at his stomach in an attempt to prove the effectiveness of his charm. Unfortunately, the charm failed, leaving him with life-threatening injuries.
Officers from the Byazhin Police Division responded promptly to a distress call from a resident, Shandam Michael. The police found Usman in critical condition and immediately transported him to Kubwa General Hospital for emergency treatment. He was later transferred to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for further medical care.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, stated that a search of Usman’s residence uncovered the homemade gun used in the act, along with various charms related to his failed experiment.
Usman is expected to face charges for unlawful possession of firearms and attempted suicide under Section 231 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria.
The police described the incident as alarming and a cautionary tale. “On November 23, 2024, a distress call reported an incident involving Ismail Usman, a local herbalist. In a misguided attempt to test a self-made bulletproof charm, Usman shot himself. Unfortunately, the charm failed, resulting in serious injuries,” the statement read.
Investigations are ongoing to ensure that justice is served and to discourage similar reckless behavior in the future.
