Juju Gone Wrong: 5 times Nigerian bulletproof charms failed, went viral

• Despite claims of protection, traditional bulletproof charms have led to tragic consequences in Nigeria, resulting in loss of life
• Several people have died while testing bulletproof charms, highlighting the dangers of false promises and unproven traditional practices
• Here are five shocking cases of failed bulletproof charm attempts in Nigeria

Given the rise of technology and modern science, it is easy to assume that some traditional practices would have become obsolete over time.

Yet, in Nigeria, bulletproof charms remain a practise that has refused to disappear. 

Some herbalists still claim to possess the power to shield humans from harm or bullets in the most dramatic ways. 

However, when this so-called protection fails, the results are often tragic and bizarre, sparking viral stories and debates online. Here is a look at five instances where bulletproof charms didn’t live up to their mythical reputation. 

5 failed bulletproof charm attempts

Here are five failed attempts to create and test bulletproof charms 

1. Ismail Usman’s failed attempt 

Credit: Graphic online 

Ismail Usman, a native doctor from the Kuchibuyi village in Abuja, has recently been a victim of a failed bulletproof charm. On Friday, November 29th, he tried to test the effectiveness of his claimed perfect charm on himself and landed in the hospital. 

The police reported he collapsed after he shot himself and was rushed to the Kubwa General Hospital for emergency treatment and later transferred to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for further care. 

2. Danladi Yau’s failed attempt 

Herbalist Danladi was arrested in Bauchi State in November 2023 for the murder of Muhammadu Ali caused by a failed bulletproof charm. 

He mentioned that the incident was his first failed attempt. He instructed the late Ali to hold a fowl intended for the experiment and shoot it to test its effectiveness.

However, the bullet missed and landed on Ali, causing his demise.

Danladi further stated that the incident was a mistake and, if successful, would have been a medium of protection for people around him. 

3. Abubakar Abubakar’s attempt 

It is quite unfortunate for the family of a local hunter in Dutse, Gogo town near Kiaima headquarters of Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, as his sons got involved in the traditional act of fortifying themselves against bullets, leading to the death of one. 

Abubakar Abubakar shot his junior brother, identified as Yusuf Abubakar, dead while testing the efficiency of a gunshot protective charm newly procured by their father.

According to sources, the youngest child, Yusuf, was strengthened with the protecting charm during the test of the charm's power, while the oldest child, armed with his father's loaded Dane rifle, fired. 

Abubakar escaped as soon as this incident happened. This unfortunate occurrence is the result of a bulletproof charm superstitious belief.

4. Tunde Akinmoyewa's attempt

Misplaced priorities caused Tunde Akinmoyewa's death through a test of bulletproof charm efficacy by an anonymous native doctor in Laoso camp, Ondo town, Ondo State. 

Tunde Akinmoyewa, who happened to be an ex-convict, took his traditional practices to another level while testing the potency of a bulletproof charm placed on him.

Meanwhile, according to state police testimony, the deceased was not only a cult member but also an ex-convict, and Bode, the alleged murderer, was a cultist. 

"It was unbelievable because such charms never failed before," one witness remarked.

However, on this specific day, it failed, and the 27-year-old son of a camp traditionalist died as a result. 

5. Timothy Dauda's attempt 

Credit: Western Post

Timothy Dauda, the self-proclaimed 19-year-old bulletproof charm guru, got a little too confident in his mythical abilities. He decided to test his latest creation on his client, Alex Ezekiel, with disastrous results. 

These examples show that bulletproof charms are highly ineffective. Despite the claims made by some practitioners, these traditional charms have often failed to provide the promised protection, sometimes leading to tragic outcomes. 

Man trends for dying during fortification ritual, father, native doctor arrested

Earlier, TheRadar reported that one Enuwa Odugu, a native doctor and Uwakwe Eze were arrested for the conspiracy and murder of Chikwado Eze, who died after he was buried alive for one hour during a fortification ritual. 

Uwakwe Eze reportedly took his son, Chikwado Celestine Eze, aged 26, to the native doctor’s shrine to perform a ritual intended to boost his business endeavours overseas after obtaining a foreign travel visa.