A herbalist, identified as Ismail Usman, has reportedly shot himself while testing a bulletproof charm he had created. The shocking incident has raised concerns and garnered attention across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The FCT police command confirmed the incident in a statement released on Saturday, detailing the circumstances surrounding the herbalist's self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to the Command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the police were alerted after a distress call was made by a resident of Kuchibuyi village, where the incident occurred.
Josephine Adeh further explained that the herbalist, Ismail Usman, sustained a life-threatening injury from the gunshot wound. The authorities were informed that the herbalist had shot himself in the stomach while testing the bulletproof charm, which he had prepared as part of his practices. The charm was intended to protect him from harm, but it failed to prevent the tragic accident.
Upon receiving the distress call, officers from the Byazhin Division responded quickly and arrived at the scene, finding Usman in critical condition. The herbalist was immediately rushed to Kubwa General Hospital for emergency medical treatment, but due to the severity of his condition, he was later transferred to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for further care and attention.
Reports indicated that Usman had used a locally fabricated gun in his attempt to test the charm’s effectiveness. After fortifying himself with the charm, he shot himself while conducting the dangerous experiment. Following the incident, police conducted a thorough search of Usman’s residence, where they recovered the homemade firearm along with several other charms he had used in the reckless experiment.
The police statement emphasized that Usman’s actions were highly reckless, leading to significant danger not only to himself but also to others around him. As a result, the herbalist will face legal consequences for his actions. He will be charged under the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria, specifically for unlawful possession of firearms and attempted suicide, both of which are in violation of Section 231 of the law. The authorities have made it clear that Usman’s actions will not go unpunished and that they are taking the necessary steps to hold him accountable for his dangerous and irresponsible behavior.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers associated with the unregulated practice of traditional medicine, especially when individuals take matters into their own hands without regard for public safety or the law.
