A herbalist in the Federal Capital Territory landed in the hospital last Saturday after testing the efficacy of his self-made ‘bulletproof’ charm by shooting himself with a gun.

In a statement on Saturday, the public relations officer of the command, Josephine Adeh, said operatives visited the scene after the command received a distress call about the tragic incident.

Mrs Adeh said, “On November 23, 2024, an alarming incident unfolded in Kuchibuyi Village that drew the attention of the FCT Police Command. A distress call from Shandam Michael reported a shocking event involving Ismail Usman, a local herbalist known for his unconventional methods. In a misguided attempt to test the effectiveness of a self-made ‘bulletproof’ charm, Usman shot himself in the stomach with a shotgun.

“Unfortunately, the charm failed to protect him, resulting in life-threatening injuries. Officers from the Byazhin Division responded swiftly, arriving at the scene to find Usman in critical condition. He was quickly transported to Kubwa General Hospital for emergency treatment and later transferred to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for further care.”

The spokesperson for the command said a gun and charms were found with him, adding that after the completion of the investigation, the herbalist will be charged to court for attempted suicide and illegal possession of a firearm.

“In the aftermath, police conducted a thorough search of Usman’s home, recovering the homemade gun and an array of charms used in his reckless experiment. Investigations are ongoing, and 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.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, while condemning the incident, advised residents against such dangerous practices and highlighted the risks associated with illegal firearms, adding, “This situation illustrates the serious risks of engaging in reckless behaviour.”

The command, therefore, stressed the need for residents to be vigilant, stating that it is crucial for them to look out for one another and report any suspicious activities.