A heartbreaking incident has unfolded in Iyamu Village, located in Illushi, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State, where a 14-year-old boy, Okonkwo Obinna Emmanuel, lost his life while undergoing a ritual meant to test the efficacy of a so-called “bulletproof” charm.
The ritual, which reportedly took place on April 2, 2025, was allegedly conducted by a self-proclaimed native doctor, Amechi Edozunor, with assistance from one Kelvin Ugru. According to reports, the two convinced the teenager that the charm would render him invincible to physical harm.
To prove the potency of the charm, a bottle was smashed on the boy’s head during the test. Unfortunately, the charm failed, and Obinna collapsed with a severe head injury. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries three days later, on April 5.
The case came to public attention after the boy’s elder brother, Okonkwo Onyenbuchi, reported the incident to the police. Both Edozunor and Ugru have been arrested and are currently in custody, facing possible charges related to the boy’s death.
The spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, CSP Moses Yamu, stated that he had not yet received the full report from the division handling the case but assured that an official update would be provided as investigations progress.
The tragedy has plunged the local community into mourning and raised renewed concerns about the prevalence of dangerous fetish practices among Nigerian youths.
