The Edo State Police Command announced on Monday that it had arrested a 19-year-old self-acclaimed native doctor in connection with the death of his client. The young man, who claimed to possess special powers and knowledge in the preparation of charms, was taken into custody after a tragic incident that resulted in the death of one of his clients.
The native doctor, whose identity has not been fully disclosed, is known for preparing charms that are believed to protect against gunshots and cutlass attacks. In an unfortunate turn of events, the native doctor allegedly killed his client while attempting to prove the effectiveness of a charm he had prepared for the deceased.
The incident took place in Onumu Community, located in the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, on August 20. This community, like many others in the region, has a long history of traditional practices and beliefs, and native doctors often play a significant role in the daily lives of the residents.
According to a statement issued by Moses Yamu, the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, the victim, identified as Alex Ezekiel, had approached the suspect to request a charm that would render him bulletproof. In his statement, Yamu said, “One Alex Ezekiel, ‘m’, now deceased, went to the ‘native doctor’ to get the charm prepared for him.”
The sequence of events, as narrated by the police, reveals a tragic misunderstanding and a misguided attempt to demonstrate the potency of the charm. “After preparing the charms, the native doctor tried to test the efficacy of the charm by shooting the deceased with a gun,” the statement continued. “Unfortunately, the deceased sustained fatal injuries, and was rushed to Ifejola Hospital, Igarra, where he was certified dead by a medical doctor,” the statement added. The tragic incident has left the community in shock and mourning, with many questioning the practices and legitimacy of traditional healers who claim to possess supernatural powers.
The police have indicated that they will continue their investigation into the incident to determine the full circumstances surrounding the death of Ezekiel. They have also warned the public to be cautious when seeking traditional remedies and to be aware of the potential risks involved.
