THE FCT Police Command has launched an investigation into an incident involving a local herbalist who injured himself while testing a failed ‘bulletproof’ charm in a community in the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, on Saturday, November 30, 2024, it was revealed that on November 23, 2024, a disturbing incident occurred in Kuchibuyi Village, prompting the attention of the police.
A distress call from one Shandam Michael alerted authorities to the ‘shocking’ case of Ismail Usman, a local herbalist known for his unorthodox practices who attempted to test a self-made ‘bulletproof’ charm, shot himself in the stomach with a gun.
Unfortunately, the charm did not work as intended, and Usman sustained life-threatening injuries.
According to the police, officers from the Byazhin Division promptly arrived at the scene and found him in critical condition. He was rushed to Kubwa General Hospital for immediate treatment and later transferred to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for continued care.
Following the incident, the police conducted a detailed search of Usman’s residence, where they seized the homemade firearm and various charms involved in his dangerous experiment.
Investigations are still ongoing, and Usman will face charges for illegal possession of firearms and attempted suicide, as outlined in Section 231 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, condemned the incident, emphasising the risks of engaging in reckless behaviour and urging the community to refrain from such dangerous practices.
“This situation illustrates the serious risks of engaging in reckless behaviour. We strongly advise the community to avoid such dangerous practices.” Disu stated.
The police emphasised the need for community vigilance, urging residents to watch out for one another and report any suspicious activities.
Fatimah Quadri is a Journalist and a Fact-checker at The ICIR. She has written news articles, fact-checks, explainers, and media literacy in an effort to combat information disorder.
She can be reached at sunmibola_q on X or fquadri@icirnigeria.org